Gulf Times of today confirmed Qatar government decision to provide Decent housing to Qatari Nationals and Residents. Interesting excerpts are reproduced here as a fore taster of the follow-on article of the Qatar News Agency on the same topic.
Qataris nationals, citizens in both these articles regard all expatriates, be they highly paid professionals and / or manual workers, maids and drivers as residents. As a matter of fact, all labour personnel in all industries, agricultural farming, fishing, construction and oil and gas exploration and production are mainly expatriates.
Decent housing for citizens and residents
The State of Qatar attaches special importance to the provision of decent housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living for citizens and residents.
This came in a speech delivered by the third Secretary of Qatar Permanent Mission to the UN Office at Geneva Ghanem Ali al-Marri before the 31st session of the UN Human Rights Council, under the item (3) titled: “Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on adequate and decent housing as a component of the right to an adequate and decent standard of living”.
Al-Marri pointed out that Qatar had issued Housing Law No. 2 of 2007, which regulates access to appropriate housing and the right to an adequate and decent housing as follows: including ‘Housing Loan’ for those whose financial resources enable them to repay the value of the loan, and housing for the needy who are covered by the social security scheme.”
QATAR NEWS AGENCY article’s excerpts are as follows; please read on :
Geneva, March 03 (QNA) – The State of Qatar attaches special importance to the provision of decent housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living for citizens and residents.
This came in a speech of the State of Qatar delivered by Qatar’s third Secretary of Qatar Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office at Geneva Ghanem Ali Al Marri before the 31st session of the UN Human Rights Council, under the item (3) titled: ” Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on adequatem and decent housing as a component of the right to an adequate and decent standard of living” Al Marri offered thanks of the Qatar’s Mission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing Leilani Farha for her last report, dated 30 December.
He pointed out that the State of Qatar had issued Housing Law No. 2 of 2007, which regulates access to appropriate housing and the right to an adequate and decent housing as follows: including ‘Housing Loan’ for those whose financial resources enable them to repay the value of the loan, and housing for the needy who are covered by the social security scheme” He added that the Housing Law featured several other benefits such as comfortable long-term repayment of the installments, the allocation of free of charge plot of land intended for building and the provision of free basic services such as electricity and water, among others such as demolition , re-construction and maintenance of public housing for the elderly citizens.
He confirmed that the State of Qatar appreciates expatriate workers’ active role, considering them as deemed partners in the development and renaissance project pursued by the state, adding that in boosting this role the Law No. (1) of 2015 amending Provisions of the Labour Law had been issued to improve the conditions of workers and securing their different needs.
The Qatari diplomat pointed out the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights visited last January the Qatar’s largest work camp, Labour City, which was built according to international standards and requirements for decent housing, in an area of one million and one hundred thousand square meters and accommodates a hundred thousand workers.
He said that the city is a civilized and humane model provides the suitable environment, security and safety, care and hobbies for the residents .(QNA)
BQmagazine produced this piece updated on 07.12.2014 of very elaborate image of Qatar’s population continues to swell with every passing year, having witnessed a massive increase of 9.5 percent compared to October 31, 2013 according to Qatar’s Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics.
The total population numbered 2,269,672 at last available count on 30 Nov, 2014 (not including people with resident permits and Qatari nationals that were outside the country at the time).
Qatari nationals number only 278,000, representing a mere 12 percent of the total population in the country. Indians at 545,000 and Nepalese at 400,000 actually far surpass them.
Further reading on the subject could be found in Integrating Foreign Workers Issues into Qatar Strategies and Policies
Another very interesting reading is on the Middle East Forum.
