Workers’

Welfare
Standards
Bulletin 1
to Edition 2
Effective February 2018
 Attachment to Workers’ Welfare Standards (WW Standards) Bulletin No.1
The following table sets out the amendments made to WW Standards 2nd Edition by this bulletin:

Standard Edition No.2 Amended Standard

1 Definitions Worker
Means all paid employees
Worker
Means all paid employees or workers of the Contractor
(whether hourly, daily, or any Other Contracting Parties performing any Works
monthly or otherwise or services for the Programme, regardless of their
and whether temporary original date, or purpose, of recruitment. The following
employees or other- employees shall be excluded from the definition of
wise) or workers of the Worker:
Contractor or any Oth- (a) professionals and “white collar” workers, qualified
er Contracting Parties in a regulated field such as law, finance, accountancy
used to perform any or engineering, or working in an office-based or
Works or services for the administrative role;
Programme, regardless (b) employees who perform managerial duties and
of their original date or receive an accommodation allowance from their
purpose of recruitment. employer instead of Accommodation;
(c) temporary visiting workers undertaking “one-off”
tasks including short term maintenance works or
supplying or delivering goods to a Construction Site or
the SC’s offices.

2 Definitions Prescribed Languages

Means the languages of
Amend definition of “Prescribed Languages” to: Means
the languages of Arabic, Bengali, English, Tagalog,
Arabic, Bengali, English, Hindi, Nepali, Tamil, Urdu and Malayalam.
Tagalog, Hindi, Nepali,
Tamil and Urdu.

3 Contracting
Process -
appointment
5.2
The Contractor shall
ensure its Other
5.2
Before appointing an Other Contracting Party the Con-
tractor shall provide the Other Contracting Party with
of Other Contracting Parties a copy of these WW Standards and appropriate guid-
Contracting implement any ance on these WW Standards and their requirements,
Party - necessary rectifications including requirements under the Law. The Contractor
approval and measures to be shall then carry out appropriate due diligence on the
process compliant with these WW Other Contracting Party’s compliance with these WW
Standards. Standards. The Contractor shall ensure all of its Other
Contracting Parties implement any necessary rectifi-
cations and measures to be compliant with these WW
Standards before commencing work.

New 5.4
For Main Contractors, in addition to any approval pro-
cess for the appointment of Other Contracting Parties
set out in the Contractor’s agreement with SC, Main
Contractors shall obtain prior approval from SC for the
appointment of Other Contracting Parties (of all tiers).
In order to obtain this, Main Contractors shall provide
SC with:

(a) a schedule detailing the proposed Other Contracting

Parties;

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 Standard Edition No.2 Amended Standard
(b) an accommodation inspection report/checklist
for the proposed Accommodation for the Other
Contracting Parties’ Workers in the form provided in
Appendix K;
(c) an ethical recruitment audit report/checklist in the
form provided in Appendix K;
(d) a workers’ database setting out details of proposed
Workers as per Appendix L;
(e) a Workers’ Welfare commitment statement (in
the form provided in Appendix K, duly signed by
authorised signatory of the Other Contracting Party as
per its Company Registration card) and stamped; and
(f) confirmation that the Main Contractor has carried out
an ethical recruitment audit and an accommodation
inspection, as required by the WW Standards.

If the Workers of an Other Contracting Party are to be

accommodated in the same Accommodation as the
Main Contractor, which has already been approved
in writing by SC, then item b), the accommodation
inspection report/checklist, is not required.

SC shall review the documents received from the

Main Contractor and may carry out its own audit or
inspection of the Other Contracting Party and/or
its proposed Accommodation. SC shall then accept
or reject the Other Contracting Party at its sole
discretion. An acceptance may be conditional on the
Other Contracting Party complying with rectification
requirements imposed by SC.

4 Employment
Contracts
Not included New article 8.9
Contractors must ensure that Workers are employed
in roles for which they were tested and interviewed for
in their home country. In the event that Workers are
required to undertake different jobs, Contractors must
ensure that (a) the role is at least at the same level,
(b) that the Worker is given suitable training, (c) that
this is identified and reported to SC with appropriate
justification and (d) changes to the employment
contract and salaries shall be made as appropriate.

5 Employment
Conditions –
9.2
The Contractor shall
9.2
The Contractor shall further ensure that, at its cost,
use of business further ensure that, at its all Workers possess a valid work visa which shall
visas cost, all Workers possess be transferred into a residence permit, along with a
a valid work visa which Qatari identity card and health card in accordance
shall be transferred with the Law. If the Contractor requires to employ any
into a residence permit, Workers on business-work visas or other types of visa,
Qatari identity card and it shall submit a request to SC and SC shall make a
health card in accordance determination on a case-by-case basis.
with the Law.

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 Standard Edition No.2 Amended Standard

6 Employment
Conditions
Not included New article 9.9 (c )
Provide workers who have not gone
- periodical through a Gulf Approved Medical Centre
medical Association (GAMCA) equivalent pre-
examinations employment medical check-up in their
home countries, with a base line medical
health screening as per Appendix
K-Contractor Self Audit Checklist, before
they are mobilised on the Project.
(Please refer to Clarification # 28 for fur-
ther details)

7 Employment
Conditions
18.2
Workers must also be advised by
18.2
Workers must also be advised by the
the Contractor of the other support Contractor of the other support systems
systems available where Workers available where Workers can report griev-
can report grievances. In addition ances. In addition to support provided by
to support provided by the relevant the relevant Embassies of the Workers,
Embassies of the Workers, details details of some other support systems
of some other support systems are set out below. The Contractor should
are set out below. The Contractor advise Workers to review the mandate of
should advise Workers to review the each agency and report their grievance to
mandate of each agency and report the appropriate agency.
their grievance to the appropriate
agency. (a) Supreme Committee (SC)
SC Workers’ Grievance Hotline
(a) MOADLSA If Workers have grievances or suggestions
• Labour disputes and grievances may with respect to matters of their concerns,
be lodged with the Labour Relations including but not limited to ethical recruit-
Department as follows: Phone: +974 ment, rights and benefits, fair treatment,
44406400, 44406388 accommodation and food, transport,
In Person: At the Labour health and safety and medical, then they
Departments of the MOADLSA via may register their concerns through the
form available from www.molsa.gov.qa following means:
On Line: via self-service multi-lingual
machines located at MOADLSA Toll free Phone number: 00800 100 386
offices, or print form to lodge Languages available are English, Hindi,
in person at Labour Relations Urdu, Tagalog, Arabic and Malayalam.
Department. Online complaints: www.sc.ethicspoint.com

(b) National Human Rights Committee The Contractor must advise Workers that
• Lodge a complaint against a complaints will be handled anonymously.
potential violation of a person’s
human rights. (b) SC Workers’ Welfare
• Submit a complaint via: Seek advice regarding, or lodge a
Phone: +974 44048844 complaint regarding a potential breach of
Email: info@nhrc.org.qa the WW Standards:
Online: www.nhrc-qa.org Email: workerswelfare@sc.qa or
In Person: Fereej Abdulaziz, wwcompliance@sc.qa
Nasser Bin Khalid Intersection,
Opposite Doha Petrol Station, Otabi (c) MOADLSA
Tower. • Labour disputes and grievances may
• With a complaint you must submit: be lodged with the Labour Relations
- details of your complaint in Department as follows:
writing; Phone: +974 44406400, 44406388
- your contact information including In Person: At the Labour Departments
phone, email and address; of the MOADLSA via form available from
- a copy of your QID or Passport and www.molsa.gov.qa
Visa; On Line: via self-service multi-lingual
- any related documents to support machines located at MOADLSA offices,
your complaint. or print form to lodge in person at Labour
Relations Department.

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 Standard Edition No.2 Amended Standard
(c) Qatar Foundation for Protection (d) National Human Rights Committee
and Social Rehabilitation • Lodge a complaint against a potential
• Lodge concerns relating to violation of a person’s human rights.
domestic and societal violence • Submit a complaint via:
or potential cases of human Phone: +974 44048844
trafficking. Email: info@nhrc.org.qa
Phone: +974 108 Online: www.nhrc-qa.org
Email: info@qfpsr.org.qa In Person: Fereej Abdulaziz,
Nasser Bin Khalid Intersection,
(d) SC Opposite Doha Petrol Station, Otabi
• Seek advice regarding or lodge Tower.
a complaint against a potential • With a complaint you must submit:
breach of the WW Standards: - details of your complaint in writing;
Email: workerswelfare@sc.qa - your contact information including
phone, email and address;
- a copy of your QID or Passport and
Visa;
- any related documents to support
your complaint.

(e) Qatar Foundation for Protection and

Social Rehabilitation
• Lodge concerns relating to domestic
and societal violence or potential cases
of human trafficking.
Phone: +974 108
Email: info@qfpsr.org.qa

8 Payment of
Workers
Not included New article 10.3(j)
Licenses, qualifications or skill upgrades
required for the Worker’s job.

Deduction from Worker’s salary for the

cost of examination or test shall not be
permitted, if a Worker fails any exam or
test upto first 2 attempts. Cost of the
examination or test for next attempts
may be deducted from the Workers’
salary.

The Contractor needs to maintain

appropriate documentation for
the same.

9 End of Employment
and Repatriation
Not included New article 11.5
In the case of death of a Worker, the
Contractor shall claim any amounts
due under its workers’ compensation
insurance policy and promptly pay the
whole of these amounts to the deceased
Worker’s family.

10 End of Employment
and Repatriation
Not included New article 9.9 (c)
Procure and maintain a workers’
compensation insurance policy, in
accordance with the requirements of its
contract with SC and ensure that such
policies are applied to cover medical
expenses and/or compensation in case
of injury or disability to, or death of,
a Worker caused by an accident on a
Construction Site.

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 Standard Edition No.2 Amended Standard

11 Employment
Conditions -
2.1.4
The Contractor shall ensure that
2.1.4
The only Workers permitted to cook in
periodical medical there is no provision for self- Accommodation are non-construction
examinations cooking in any Accommodation workers, such as pantry staff, cleaners
Site for Workers. All cooking and and security staff residing in standalone
catering shall be provided and villa Accommodation. For Workers who are
managed centrally regardless of permitted to cook, the Contractor shall
the number of Workers. ensure the kitchen and kitchen equipment
meet applicable industry safety standards.

12 Accommodation
and Food
2.4.3
As a guideline, the SC strongly
2.4.3
All cooked food made available to Workers
Standards – Food encourages the use of bain- at the Accommodation and Construction
Standards maries for the serving of food at Site must be served in a bain-marie.
Construction Sites.

13 Accommodation
and Food
Not included New introduction before 1.1
These Accommodation Standards apply
Standards – to all Accommodation. In the event
Accommodation that the Contractor finds any of these
Standards requirements unsuitable for a particular
type of Accommodation, such as a villa,
the Contractor shall submit a request
for an exemption to SC with appropriate
justification. SC, at its discretion,
may accept such request and impose
any specific conditions that it deems
necessary.

14 Personnel 14.1
Change to table
Add to “When Required” column to the
table at 14.1

For Workers’ Welfare Officer:

For more than 100 Workers at an
Accommodation Site: one dedicated WWO
for the Project.

For more than 1000 Workers at an

Accommodation Site: two dedicated WWOs
for the Project.

For Project Workers’ Welfare Officer:

For more than 500 Workers at a
Construction Site: one PWWO.
For more than 1500 Workers at a
Construction Site: two PWWOs.

Add to the “Role” column for WWO and

PWWO:

WWO and PWWO shall report to

Contractor’s Project Manager/Director.

WWO/PWWO must have authority to

oversee workers’ welfare management
for the SC site that includes recruitment,
induction and mobilization, accomodation,
catering and facility management, end of
service and repatriation, Other Contracting
Parties approval and management process.

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 Standard Edition No.2 Amended Standard

15 Personnel 14.1
Change to table
14.1
Entry under “When Required” for “Nurse”
amended to: 100 Workers to 1000
Workers, one resident Nurse. More than
1000 Workers, two resident Nurses.
Nurses shall be available 24 hours a day, 7
days a week.

16 Reporting
Requirements
9.17(v)
Not included
9.17(v)
Workers’ mobile number.

17 Reporting
Requirements
15.3
The Contractor shall obtain and
15.3
The Contractor shall obtain and collate the
collate the information listed information listed in 15.1 from each of its
above from each of its Other Other Contracting Parties. This shall be
Contracting Parties. This shall provided to the Compliance & Enforcement
be provided to the GEM as Manager (CEM).
requested.
Governance and Enforcement Manager
(GEM) has been replaced by CEM.

18 Workers’ Welfare
Forum
16.1
The Contractor shall establish
16.1
The Workers’ Welfare Forum (WWF) is
a Workers’ Welfare Forum the forum in which Workers may, via their
(WWF) for each Accommodation respective Worker Representatives, raise
Site. The WWF is the forum in matters of concern on any issue without
which Workers, via the Worker fear of retaliation. The Contractor shall
Representatives, may raise establish a WWF for each Accommodation
matters of concern to them Site. The Contractor shall ensure that
on any issue without fear of where an Other Contracting Party
retaliation. accommodates more than 50 Workers
at one Accommodation Site, the Other
Contracting Party shall establish a WWF
for this Accommodation Site within two
months of mobilisation on the Project.

19 Workers’ Welfare
Forum
Not included 16.9
The WWO shall maintain a log of all
grievances and their resolution status. This
should include grievances raised through
the WWF and any other channels, at the
Construction Site and Accommodation.

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 Standard Edition No.2 Amended Standard

20 Auditing of
Compliance
19.1
The Contractor’s compliance
19.1
The Contractor’s compliance with these
with these WW Standards shall WW Standards shall be subject to a four
be subject to a four tier auditing tier auditing system as set out below:
system as set out below: (a)Self-Audits:
(a) Self-Audits: (i) the Contractor shall undertake
(i) the Contractor shall undertake a quarterly self-audit against its
a monthly self-audit against compliance with the WW Standards in
its compliance with the WW accordance with the form of self-audit
Standards in accordance with checklist included at Attachments
the form of self-audit checklist I, J and K (a copy of which may also
included at Attachment G (a be obtained on request by writing to
copy of which may also be workerswelfare@sc.qa) and provide the
obtained on request by writing submission to SC on the 14th day of the
to workerswelfare@sc.qa). first month of the quarter, along with
(ii) the Contractor shall also rectification plans (if required).
require its Other Contracting (ii) the Contractor shall also ensure that
Parties (excluding any its Other Contracting Parties (excluding
Recruitment Agents) to any Recruitment Agents) undertake
undertake their own monthly their own quarterly self-audits. The
self-audits and agree a Contractor shall review the Other
rectification plan with its Other Contracting Parties’ self- audits and
Contracting Parties for any agree a rectification plan with them
non-compliances identified. for any non-compliances identified
and monitor their compliance with the
(b) SC Audits: rectification plan.
(i) The SC shall undertake
random inspections and audits (b) SC Audits:
of Contractors and Other (i) The SC shall undertake random
Contracting Parties to monitor inspections and audits of Contractors
their compliance with the WW and Other Contracting Parties to
Standards and/or to validate monitor their compliance with the WW
the self-audits. Standards and/or to validate the self-
audits.
(c) Independent Monitor Audits:
(i) An independent external (c) Independent Monitor Audits:
monitor appointed at the (i) An independent external monitor
discretion of the SC shall appointed at the discretion of the SC
undertake random audits shall undertake random audits
of SC, the Contractors and of SC, the Contractors and Other
Other Contracting Parties Contracting Parties to monitor each of
to monitor each of their their compliance with the WW
compliance with the WW Standards and to validate the self-audits
Standards and to validate the and the SC audits.
self-audits and the SC audits.
(d) MOADLSA Audits:
(d) MOADLSA Audits: (i) The MOADLSA shall be entitled to
(i) The MOADLSA shall be perform periodic or random inspections
entitled to perform periodic and audits on Contractors and Other
or random inspections and Contracting Parties in accordance with
audits on Contractors and the Law.
Other Contracting Parties in
accordance with the Law.

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 Standard Edition No.2 Amended Standard

21 Auditing of
Compliance
19.4
The Contractor shall cooperate
19.4
The Contractor shall cooperate with the
with the SC designated SC designated personnel, the Independent
personnel, the Independent Monitor and the MOADLSA and ensure
Monitor and the MOADLSA that all places of Work, Accommodation
and ensure that all places of Sites, documents, employment records,
Work, Accommodation Sites, Managerial Staff and Workers are available
documents, employment records, as necessary, and expeditiously provide
Managerial Staff and Workers any further information requested. SC
are available as necessary, and designated personnel can obtain/ make
expeditiously provide any further copies of these documents and records in
information requested. physical or electronic form.

22 Compliance &
Enforcement
20.2
If a Contractor does not comply
20.2
If a Contractor does not comply with these
with these WW Standards, the WW Standards and/ or Qatar Laws the
SC may enforce its contractual SC may enforce its contractual remedies
remedies against the Contractor against the Contractor for non-compliance
for non-compliance with the WW with the WW Standards or Qatar Laws.
Standards as per the Contract. These remedies may include, but are not
These remedies may include, but limited to:
are not limited to: (a) suspension of payment;
(a) suspension of payment; (b) SC rectification at Contractor’s cost;
(b) SC rectification at (c) SC blacklisting;
Contractor’s cost; (d) reporting the Contractor to MOADLSA;
(c) SC blacklisting; (e) reporting the Contractor to the State of
(d) reporting the Contractor to Qatar Central Tenders Committee;
MOADLSA; (f) Contract termination;
(e) reporting the Contractor to (g)suspension of the Contractor’s work
the State of Qatar Central and demobilisation from the Project
Tenders Committee; (and any other SC Projects with which
(f) Contract termination. the Contractor is involved), until the
Contractor has remedied the non-
compliance and obtained SC’s approval.

23 Construction Site
Requirements
Appendix D
1.6.6
Appendix D
1.6.6
First Aid officers shall have First Aid officers shall have completed
completed an approved an approved training course such as
training course such as those those organized by the Hamad Medical
organized by the Hamad Medical Corporation or any other approved
Corporation or any other provider, which shall include the use of
approved provider. Any appointed Automated External Defibrillators (AED).
first aid officers shall obtain re- All appointed first aid officers shall obtain
certification as required to keep re-certification as required to keep the
the certification current. certification current.

24 Appendix A -
Inspection item:
Not included New article 1.1.16
Extractor fans shall be installed in
accommodation Accommodation hallways.
and food standards

25 Appendix A -
Accommodation
Not included New 2.9.9 under “Medical Care” –
The Contractor must carry out emergency
and Food standard medical drills at least once every
two months. These drills shall cover
various scenarios and must involve the
participation of all medical staff and
first aiders at the Accommodation. The
Contractor shall keep adequate records of
the drills, including the scenario covered
and the names of participating medical
staff and first aiders.

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 Standard Edition No.2 Amended Standard

26 Appendix A -
Accommodation
Not included New 2.9.10 under “Medical Care” –
The Contractor must implement a medical
and Food standard records management process which allows
for collating, storing and retrieving health
information on workers in an efficient
manner.

27 Appendix A:
Accommodation
1.3.5
Bedroom requirement:
1.3.5
Bedroom requirement:
and Food Lockable personal storage per Lockable personal storage per bed shall
Standards bed shall be provided which is at be provided which is at least 180cm high,
least 180mm high, 90mm wide 90cm wide and 45cm deep and contain
and 45mm deep and contain a a separate lockable area inside for the
separate lockable area inside storage of personal documents.
for the storage of personal
documents.

28 Appendix K
-”Contractor Self
Not included Addition to 17 of the Audit Checklist:
Workers mobilised on the Project effective
Audit Checklist” Bulletin 1 to Edition 2 – new to Qatar:
Baseline pre-employment GAMCA-
equivalent medical screening must be
carried out for each Worker, before arriving
in Qatar, by a registered Doctor or Nurse in
their home country.

Workers mobilised on the Project effective

Bulletin 1 to Edition 2 – already in Qatar:
Baseline medical screening (as per
Appendix-M) must be carried out for each
Worker, before mobilisation at the Project
Site, by a registered Doctor or Nurse, if
there is a time lapse of more than one year
from their initial pre-employment GAMCA-
equivalent medical screening.

Existing Workers on the Project:

Baseline medical screening must be carried
out for all workers on the Project, if there is
time lapse of more than one year between
the effective date of this Bulletin and the
date of their last baseline/pre-employment
health screening.

Medical monitoring/periodic health

screening:

Periodic medical screenings for purposes

of health monitoring must be carried
out for all workers on the Project, as per
Appendix-M.

Doctors and Nurses in Qatar should

have valid registration from the Supreme
Council of Health, and the screening
principles listed in Paragraph 1 of Appendix
M should be adhered to.

29 Appendix K -
“Contractor Self
Not included Extra pads and battery must be available
to ensure the Automated External
Audit Checklist” Defibrillators (AED) are in-service at all
times.

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 Standard Edition No.2 Amended Standard

30 Appendix K -
“Contractor Self
Not included Under 17 “Medical Care” –
The Contractor must carry out medical
Audit Checklist” drills at least once every two months
and maintains records of these drills.
These drills must cover various scenarios
and are held with the participation of
all medical staff and first aiders at the
Accommodation.

31 Appendix K -
“Contractor Self
Not included Under 17 “Medical Care” –
The Contractor must implement a medical
Audit Checklist” records management process which allows
for collating, storing and retrieving health
information on workers in an efficient
manner.

32 Appendix K:
Self Audit checklist
Change to list order Removed sections 20-22 on the
“Inspection Item: Accommodation Related”
-Accommodation checklist in Appendix K: Self Audit Checklist
inspection and updated in “Inspection Item: Site
checklist Welfare” checklist under a new heading “8.
Transportation”.

33 Appendix K:
Self Audit
Change to list order Removed section 7 on the “Inspection
Item: Ethical recruitment audit Related”
checklist - Ethical checklist in Appendix K: Self Audit
recruitment Checklist and updated in “Inspection Item:
Accommodation related” checklist under a
heading “1. Accommodation”.

34 Appendix I Monthly
Reporting
Not included Add a column headed “Mobile Number”.

35 Appendix J -
Inspection Item
Not included Delete “partially compliant” column.

36 Appendix K
Contractor Self
Not included Delete “partially compliant” column.

Audit Checklist

37 Inspection item:
Construction site
Not included Delete “partially compliant” column.

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