Doha, Qatar – Qatar’s Minister of Labour, HE Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al Marri, held a meeting with the Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, HE Zaid Mufleh Al Lawzi, on Monday to discuss labor relations and potential areas for increased collaboration between the two nations. The meeting focused on strengthening existing ties and identifying opportunities for development within the workforce sectors of both Qatar and Jordan. This dialogue underscores Qatar’s ongoing effort to build strategic international partnerships in the realm of employment and human capital.
The meeting, which took place in Doha, involved a comprehensive review of the current state of bilateral cooperation. Officials explored pathways to deepen the exchange of expertise and facilitate mutual growth in the labor sector. This collaboration aims to benefit both Qatari and Jordanian workers and employers by aligning best practices and addressing shared challenges.
Strengthening Qatar-Jordan Labor Cooperation
Qatar and Jordan maintain a historically strong relationship, bolstered by significant Jordanian expatriate contributions to the Qatari workforce. According to data from the Ministry of Labour, a sizable portion of Qatar’s foreign workforce originates from Jordan, particularly in sectors like healthcare, education, and construction. The discussions focused on ensuring the rights and welfare of these workers, as well as streamlining recruitment processes.
The Qatari Ministry of Labour has been actively pursuing reforms to enhance labor standards, including measures to improve wage protection, workplace safety, and access to justice for all employees. These initiatives were presented as potential models for collaboration with Jordan, aligning with a mutual commitment to responsible labor markets.
Key Discussion Points
The meeting agenda covered several critical areas intended to elevate the quality of work life for both nations’ citizens. These appear to include:
Skills Development: Identifying opportunities for joint training programs tailored to meet the evolving demands of both economies. This would likely encompass technical and vocational training, as well as professional development initiatives.
Recruitment Practices: Optimizing procedures for the recruitment of Jordanian workers to Qatar, aiming for greater transparency and ensuring fair treatment throughout the process.
Workplace Safety: Sharing best practices in workplace safety and health, particularly within high-risk industries. Both countries are increasingly prioritising adherence to international safety standards.
However, details regarding specific agreements or initiatives resulting from the meeting have not been publicly released. The Ministry of Labour indicated that further discussions will be needed to finalize any potential collaborations and implement concrete action plans.
Meanwhile, Qatar’s focus on diversifying its economy under its National Vision 2030 has created new demands within the labor market. The need for skilled manpower in areas like technology, tourism, and sustainable development was also a consideration in the dialogue between Minister Al Marri and Ambassador Al Lawzi.
In contrast to some regional labor markets, Qatar has actively sought to modernize its employment framework, introducing policies such as the removal of the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) requirement for most workers. This reform aims to provide greater mobility and autonomy to employees within the country. The implications of this and other recent changes for Jordanian workers were likely a point of discussion.
Looking ahead, the two governments are expected to form working groups to explore the feasibility of joint projects and initiatives in the labor sector. A timeline for these follow-up actions remains uncertain, dependent on internal approvals and resource allocation within both nations. Analysts suggest the progress of these discussions will be closely watched by stakeholders invested in the welfare of migrant workers and the economic development of both Qatar and Jordan.
The feasibility of establishing a bilateral agreement on labor migration and worker protection will also be a key element to observe. Such an agreement could provide a more formalized and enforceable framework for ensuring the rights of Jordanian laborers in Qatar and vice versa.
