Doha: The Ministry of Labour (MOL), in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), hosted an event on Monday to mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2025, an annual observance falling on April 28, under the slogan "Ergonomics: A Holistic Approach to Promoting Healthy Interaction between People and the Workplace." The occasion forms part of the MOL's ongoing commitment to safeguarding workers, fostering a culture of occupational safety and health, and ensuring a safe and sustainable working environment for all.
According to Qatar News Agency, the ceremony was attended by Assistant Director of the Occupational Safety and Health Department at the MOL Saad Rashid Al Nabit, Head of the Occupational Health Section at the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Mohammed Ali Al Hajjaj, a delegation from the Kingdom of Sweden led by Deputy Director-General of the Swedish Work Environment Authority (SWEA) Anna Maria Vogelberg Wike, and Director of the ILO Project Office in the State of Qatar Max Tunon, along with numerous representatives from the workforce, industry, and other relevant authorities.
In his address during the ceremony, Al Nabit emphasized that the safety and health of workers constitute a moral responsibility that transcends legal and technical considerations. He said that this commitment aligns with the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy, both of which underline the importance of social welfare through the creation of safe and secure working environments. Furthermore, he noted that this commitment dovetails with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to decent work, economic growth, and health.
Al Nabit further remarked that ethical responsibility towards workers extends beyond the workplace to encompass housing and overall living conditions, ensuring that both workers and their families enjoy a dignified standard of living, thereby promoting social justice and societal stability. He underscored the imperative of adopting a holistic approach, one that integrates state-of-the-art work environment engineering with innovation, while addressing the challenges posed by digital transformation. In this context, he highlighted the vital role of Internet of Things technologies and artificial intelligence in enhancing proactive safety measures at work sites.
Explaining the MOL's role, Al Nabit said that, through its Occupational Safety and Health Department, the Ministry conducts inspections of workplaces and workers' accommodations in accordance with Qatari Labour Law. He added that the MOL carries out extensive awareness and guidance campaigns aimed at mitigating occupational hazards, reducing accidents and work-related illnesses, ensuring the provision of adequate healthcare, and securing appropriate living conditions.
Al Nabit concluded his statement by saying: "We firmly believe that the safety of workers is a collective responsibility. Through concerted efforts and effective partnerships, we can entrench a culture of adherence to occupational safety and health requirements, helping to create work environments that protect lives, safeguard property, enhance productivity, and secure a future of greater growth, fairness, and sustainability for workers across all sectors."
For his part, Head of the Occupational Health Section at the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Mohammed Ali Al Hajjaj addressed the audience, emphasizing that "the health and safety of workers" is a strategic priority for the Ministry of Public Health. He noted that, based on the firm belief in the power of collaborative endeavor, the joint efforts between the Ministry of Public Health and the MOL, ranging from awareness campaigns to the enhancement of procedures and the issuance of effective guidelines, have made a significant contribution to improving working conditions. He added that the signing of an agreement between the two ministries for the exchange of work-injury data has helped to synchronize efforts, thereby contributing to a healthier and safer work environment.
Furthermore, Dr. Al Hajjaj outlined additional awareness initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Public Health, including multilingual communications tailored to the workforce and the launch of a Workplace Health Promotion Program designed to elevate employee health consciousness.
In turn, Deputy Director-General of SWEA Anna Maria Vogelberg Wike observed that despite the geographical distances between Qatar and Sweden, both nations face common challenges in the realm of occupational safety and health. She stressed that these shared risks demand collective action, the exchange of best practices, and continued international collaboration to develop more effective policies and frameworks that prioritize workers' wellbeing.
In the same context, Director of the ILO Project Office in the State of Qatar Max Tunon said that the organization today launched a global report reflecting the impact of digitalization on safety and health in the workplace, highlighting the risks involved, as well as the opportunities that digitalization may provide. The report includes numerous examples of how countries are updating their legislation and developing their guidelines to address these new challenges in the field of occupational safety and health, ensuring the protection of workers in increasingly digital and dynamic work environments.
Regarding the State of Qatar, Tonon said that occupational safety and health has been and remains a strategic priority for the MOL and all stakeholders in the country, from workers to employers, for many years. Key sectors of the labor market will witness major transformations, driven by the National Development Strategy and a strong commitment to diversifying the economy. He pointed out that in light of the digital and technological transformation that the State of Qatar is witnessing, it has the opportunity to provide a more inclusive, safe, and healthy work environment for all.