The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the rights, safety, and representation of thousands of transport workers in Qatar following a successful mission to the Gulf state.
Led by ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton, the delegation held talks with the Qatari Ministry of Labor to strengthen joint cooperation on advancing occupational safety and health, training and qualifications, and the labour rights of transport workers. Critically, a key outcome of the discussions was the efforts to expand Joint Committee’ structures for transport workers – a form of industrial democracy for migrant workers in Qatar and an important step towards genuine freedom of association in the country.
“Our mission to Qatar reflects the ITF’s commitment to putting workers at the centre of every conversation,” said Cotton. “Expanding Joint Committees and securing stronger protections for transport workers will deliver tangible improvements for thousands of workers. This is a positive step forward towards genuine trade union representation, laying the groundwork for a future where workers can fully exercise their rights to organise and advocate for themselves.”
The ITF also met with Max Tunon, Head of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Project Office in Qatar, to advance the implementation of the ILO Technical Cooperation Programme in the transport sector. Discussions focused on addressing the standards, rights and representation available to migrant workers, including gig economy workers in sectors like food delivery and last-mile transport.
Talks with the Qatari Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund (WSIF) highlighted its success in delivering millions of dollars in support to transport workers and other workers who have been unfairly treated or denied wages by unscrupulous employers.
Further strengthening ties with transport workers, the delegation met with community leaders representing four of the largest migrant worker groups in Qatar. Worker leaders shared the pressing challenges face by transport workers and discussed ways the ITF and the Ministry of Labor could collaborate to address them.
These engagements underscore the ITF’s commitment to deepening its relationships with transport worker communities in Qatar, in addition to direct engagement with worker representatives on Joint Committees, to maximise their support and amplify their representation. These important worker and community relationships shall continue to be developed and represented by the ITF’s Community Liaison Officer, based in Qatar.
The ITF met with Qatari employers to explore the aviation industry’s growth and the importance of giving workers’ a collective voice in helping define the way forward. Separate discussions with major shipowners focused on ensuring strong coverage of vessels with ITF maritime collective bargaining agreements, addressing challenges in the shipping sector, and improving conditions for seafarers.
The visit concluded with the renewal of the ITF’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Qatari Ministry of Labor. The agreement commits both parties to joint cooperation on a number of activities, including:
- Tripartite seminars and events in the aviation, road transport, maritime sectors, and the platform economy, which aim to develop international standards into operational guidance for transport employers in Qatar.
- Regular multi-stakeholder roundtables, bringing together key employers and government representatives to develop a sector-wide plan for issues including workers’ representation, occupational safety and health and recruitment. The first Roundtable is planned to take place in Qatar early next year.
- The establishment of Joint Committees representing workers across the transport industry.
