Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Qatar (Ratification: 1976)

Sexual harassment. With respect to its previous comments requesting the Government to take steps to prevent and prohibit sexual harassment in employment, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that sections 291 and 296 of Penal Code No. 11, 2004, sufficiently protect women against sexual harassment in employment; hence, in the view of the Government, there is no need to include similar provisions in the Labour Law, 2004. The Committee recalls that criminal laws have limited scope to prevent and address sexual harassment at the workplace, particularly the more subtle instances of work-related sexual harassment. Criminal proceedings may also not be very accommodating to address the sensitivity of the issue, and there is a higher burden of proof, which is harder to meet, especially if there are no witnesses. Therefore, the Committee again requests the Government to consider including a provision in the Labour Law that defines and explicitly prohibits sexual harassment. Awaiting such amendments, the Committee asks the Government to supply information on any convictions concerning sexual harassment in the context of work or employment on the basis of sections 291 and 296 of the Penal Code. Please also provide information on the measures adopted to raise awareness among workers and employers, as well as among law enforcers, on the problem of sexual harassment.

Equality of men and women in employment and occupation. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the Department of National Labour Force Development endeavours to prevent any segregation in job candidatures on the basis of sex, and gives priority to the qualification, specialization and date of registration of jobseekers. Employers are encouraged to engage women in different fields and types of employment. The Committee notes that the National Strategy for the Development of Women has been revised and become part of the General Strategy for the Family and its follow-up plan, which have yet to be adopted. The economic component of the General Strategy for Family includes strategic objectives concerning women and the labour market and the operational plan contains programmes to achieve equality in jobs, recruitment and promotion, as well as programmes to encourage women to work in the fields of law, diplomatic service, health and information. The education component of the strategy contains objectives and projects to provide and develop training opportunities for both men and women, and to use the education system to promote a positive image of women, her position in the family and in the society and of her role in social development. The Committee further notes that the High Council for Family Affairs is preparing studies on the barriers that hinder women from reaching leadership positions, and on part-time work. It is also implementing a programme of empowerment of women in north Qatar through training courses and undertaking a study on available employment opportunities for them and their tendencies with regard to work. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the implementation of the economic and education components of the General Strategy for Family and its follow-up plan, and its impact on achieving equality between men and women with respect to access to a wide range of training courses, jobs and occupations, including posts of responsibility. Please also indicate the measures taken under the education component to address stereotypical views of what jobs are appropriate for women and men. The Committee would also be grateful to receive information on the findings of the studies undertaken by the High Council for Family Affairs and on its activities to promote women’s employment in North Qatar. 

Distribution of men and women in the public and private sectors. The Committee notes from the statistics provided by the Government that women constitute 42.5 per cent of the professors and employees of the University of Qatar. However women only constitute 19.4 per cent of professors while they represent 68 per cent of assistant teachers and 47 per cent of employees. The Government indicates that women have managed to occupy leadership positions which, until recently, were previously held by men and that activities are being undertaken to upgrade and further develop the leadership capacities and qualifications of the staff. The Committee further notes the information provided on the number of men and women jobseekers that have been provided with employment. While appreciating the data provided, the Committee once again asks the Government to provide more detailed information on the proportion of men and women at each level within the various occupations in the private and public sectors.

Cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee asks the Government to provide specific information on how the workers’ and employers’ organizations are being involved in the implementation of the abovementioned strategies, plans, studies and measures to promote equality between men and women in employment and occupation. Please also indicate how their cooperation is being sought with respect to measures taken to address discrimination and promote equality with respect to the other grounds covered by the Convention, with an indication of the relevant activities undertaken.

Special measures of protection and assistance. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that no decision has been issued pursuant to sections 94 and 95 of the Labour Law concerning industries, occupations and jobs that are prohibited to women and concerning working time. The Committee recalls, however, the Government’s previous statement that some ministerial orders are in force. The Committee hopes that, in adopting regulations or orders pursuant to sections 94 and 95 of the Labour Law, it will be ensured that protective measures will be limited to protecting maternity and that those aimed at protecting women because of their sex or gender, based on stereotyped assumptions, will be repealed. The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed of any regulations or orders issued pursuant to sections 94 and 95 of the Labour Law concerning industries, occupations and jobs that are prohibited to women and concerning working time. Please also provide copies of those ministerial decisions that are in effect and to which the Government had referred to in its previous report.