Minister of Labor: Combatting Trafficking in Persons is Among Qatar's Priorities

Dr Ali bin Saeed bin Smaikh Al Marri

HE Minister of Labor Dr. Ali bin Saeed bin Smaikh Al Marri emphasized that combatting trafficking in persons and the provision of the essential protection for laborers are considered one of the priorities of the State of Qatar, clarifying that the past years witnessed a series of updates in the business environment and development of regulations with the objective of improving the situations of the expatriate workers.

During the inauguration of Human Care Center after it has been rehabilitated and became operational, His Excellency noted that reopening of the center comes within the cooperation and integration with various concerned authorities in the provision of protection to workers, pointing out that it is essential to continue the efforts in affording the required assistance and protection to the victims of human trafficking and work to rehabilitate and integrate them in the community.

The reopening of Human Care Center was attended by HE Chairman of the National Human Rights Council (NHRC) Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah within the framework of the State of Qatar's keenness to combat trafficking in persons, provide the required assistance, and further rehabilitate and integrate them in the community.

For his part, HE Secretary-General of Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) Ambassador Ali bin Hassan Al-Hammadi emphasized that the cooperation between the Ministry of Labor and QRCS reflects the extend of confidence the ministry prioritizes, including its keenness to capitalize on QRCS's long experiences in the area of providing the societal services to various primary segments that are eligible for receiving the care.

Human Care Center of the Ministry of Labor, represented by National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCHT), aims to provide the required assistance and protection for the victims of human trafficking, rehabilitate and integrate them in the community, in addition to providing the care and temporary shelter for them, pending solution to their problems.

As an operational entity for the center, QRCS is committed to provide the high quality services in conformity with the enforced international standards in such vital centers, as the center offers an integrated unit to fulfil the exigent needs of the expatriate workers and reach out to all relevant government authorities to expedite the mission of guiding the workers victimized by human trafficking.

The strategic project includes 6 villas, four of them are residential and the other two are dedicated to public service, while the buildings designated for sheltering workers more properly and appropriately were entirely equipped and furnished, in addition to coordinating with the security departments and NCCHT to expose any case that amounts to a crime of trafficking in persons to promptly take the legal action.

(QNA)