SC’s commitment to workers’ welfare showcased at UNHRC conference

Doha: The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) has unveiled an exhibition focusing on its commitment to workers’ welfare on the sidelines of the 40th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, attended the official opening of the exhibition, along with the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva, H E Ali Khalfan Al Mansouri.

Running from February 25 until March 8, the immersive exhibition focuses on the progress of the SC’s Workers’ Welfare Department (WWD) since the programme commenced in 2013, using interactive displays to highlight the key achievements, which have positively impacted SC workers.

The exhibition also highlights the work of the Josoor Institute, Challenge 22 and Generation Amazing, the SC’s flagship corporate social responsibility programme.

The event served as a platform to update influential human rights stakeholders on the impact of the SC’s Workers’ Welfare Standards, which are designed to ensure fair treatment and respect for workers building stadiums and non-competition venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Alongside Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the SC explained the progress made on human rights to María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, the President of the UN General Assembly, and Epsy Campbell Bar, Vice-President of Costa Rica.

SC Secretary General Hassan Al Thawadi said: “Our commitment to workers’ welfare has been unwavering even before construction began on our stadiums in early 2014. We have always believed this World Cup would help accelerate positive social change in Qatar and the region, and leave a lasting legacy long after 2022. We are proud that our Workers’ Welfare Standards today serve as a benchmark in the region, and this exhibition demonstrates the scale of our journey in a relatively short space of time.”

Al Thawadi added: “While our progress on this issue is encouraging, we understand that for a matter as complex as this there will always be a long journey ahead.

We are committed to making the long-term sustainable change needed to improve people’s lives and set a precedent for future major sporting events in this area.”

The SC’s breakthrough with tackling the issue of recruitment fees, the rapid adoption of Workers’ Welfare Forums and the provision of access to remedy for workers were recognised by delegates.

The exhibition also illustrated the impact of the WWD’s Nutrition Programme with Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar, the implementation of health and safety training, the introduction of comprehensive medical checks and digital medical records for all SC workers.

Charting the evolution of the SC’s innovative approach to tackling heat stress, delegates were also updated on the cooling apparel technologies, including a preview of the bespoke cooling suits which will be deployed to 30,000 workers in time for summer 2019.

The exhibition also gave an overview of the Workers’ Cup, a glimpse of what the 2022 FIFA World Cup will look like and a special photographic display promoting Qatar as a tourist destination.

نظمت اللجنة العليا للمشاريع والإرث معرضاً على هامش فعاليات الدورة الأربعين لمجلس حقوق الإنسان التابع للأمم المتحدة، التي انطلقت أمس في مدينة جنيف السويسرية، سلط الضوء على جهود اللجنة العليا وإنجازاتها في مجال رعاية العمال منذ بدء إدارة رعاية العمال أنشطتها عام 2013.

وقد شرف حفل افتتاح المعرض، سعادة الشيخ محمد بن عبدالرحمن آل ثاني نائب رئيس مجلس الوزراء وزير الخارجية، إضافة إلى حضور سعادة السفير علي خلفان المنصوري المندوب الدائم لدولة قطر لدى مكتب الأمم المتحدة في جنيف.

كما شهد المعرض، الذي سيستمر حتى 8 مارس، حضور سعادة السفير منصور العتيبي المندوب الدائم لدولة الكويت لدى الأمم المتحدة، وصاحبة السعادة السيدة ماريا فيرناندا إسبينوسا غاريسيس رئيسة الجمعية العامة للأمم المتحدة، وسعادة السيدة إبسي كامبل بار النائبة الأولى لرئيس الجمهورية وزيرة الخارجية في جمهورية كوستاريكا، وممثلين عن مؤسسات معنية بحقوق الإنسان ورعاية العمال.;