Qatar to 'Ease Restrictions' on Foreigners' Employment Terms, Ends Sponsorship System

Qatar, which will host the 2022 football World Cup, said Wednesday it will abolish its controversial sponsorship system for foreign workers as international criticism mounts over their treatment.

It "will be replaced with a system based on employment contracts," as part of a package of labor reforms, said a statement released at a press conference in Doha.

Sponsorship systems for foreign workers exist in most Gulf countries, which employ millions of foreigners, especially from Asia. The system has been strongly criticized by human rights groups and likened to modern-day slavery.

The reforms will also end the longstanding requirement that foreign workers obtain their employer's consent before leaving the country.

"The current exit permit system, which requires the employers' consent for an employee to leave the country, will now be replaced with an automated system through the ministry of interior," the statement said.

Qatar's treatment of its massive foreign workforce has been under the international spotlight as it launches a massive construction program for the infrastructure for the world football showcase in 2022.

Qatar also announced Wednesday measures to ease restrictions on foreign workers after coming under strong criticism over labor conditions.

They introduce a new mechanism for obtaining mandatory exit permits when leaving the country, which will now be issued by the interior ministry rather than employers, as in the past, the ministry announced.