Yahoo News: Qatar May Scrap "Work Sponsorship System"

I read from Yahoo News dated November 12, 2010:

DOHA - Qatar is considering ending the oft-criticized sponsorship system, under which employers sponsor foreign workers and have a great deal of control over them, the prime minister said on Thursday.

"Changes have been made to the sponsorship system in Qatar," and the council of ministers is "seriously studying" abolishing the system, Sheikh Hamad told reporters.

"We are studying the issue very carefully to preserve the rights of citizens and foreign workers," he added.

Sponsorship systems for foreign workers exist in most Gulf countries, which employ millions of foreigners, especially from Asia. The system has been strongly criticised by rights groups and likened to modern-day slavery.

In some cases, employers hold workers' passports and can deny them permission to change jobs.

Bahrain abolished the system in 2009, and Kuwait reportedly plans to do so by February.

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Wow! With this news, I'm glad that there are good souls finally concerned about the rights of OFWs here in Qatar. I am not sure about its status right now, but I was informed that this sponsorship system was finally abolished just recently. I can not confirmed it to everyone yet but hearing that the problems between employees and employers have been solved, it's a good news for us, right?

If this poor system is over, I am one of the happiest workers here abroad. Finally, the freedom to hold your own passport and the right to choose where you really want to work is here! Then, all of the injustices experienced in our company will be over too. We don't have to feel so sad anymore and upset with what is going on in the studio. How i wish it's easy to say now that "the game is finally over" and "we won!". Well, I hope that a few days from now, we can all rejoice for achieving the long-awaited freedom! Oh Lord, please let this suffering end and grant us the happy life we deserve.

To the Qatar OFWs, don't lose hope. Everything will be okay.