State of Qatar steps up employment transparency ahead of 2022
The State of Qatar has announced it will replace the current sponsorship – or kafala – system for foreign workers with a system based on employment contracts to strengthen existing labour laws in time for the 2022 World Cup.
The reforms follow heavy scrutiny of working conditions in the country, attracting international focus ahead of the World Cup.
Data from the Global Wellness Tourism Congress (GWTC) – undertaken by SRI International – predicts the Middle East/North African tourism market is set to experience market expansion from US$5.3bn (€3.8bn, £3.1bn) in 2012 to US$16.6bn (€11.9bn, £9.8bn) in 2017. With an expected addition of one million wellness trips to UAE from 2012 to 2017, the states will be focusing on the transparency of their employee relations.
Illegal passport confiscation will be penalised, employers will no longer be financially liable for their employee and if an employment contract is for a fixed term, employees will be able to transfer to another employer at the end of that term. This is contrary to the current system of No Objection Certificates, which regulates the transfer of employees to different employers.
An automated system which is connected to the state’s Ministry of Interior will replace the current exit permit system which currently requires the employer’s consent for an employee to leave the country.
Designed to improve the living and working conditions of all employees, the ‘Metrash2’ e-government system will automatically grant an exit permit to an employee after a 72-hour grace period prior to departure.
Wages will be paid electronically to ensure transparency and a unified accommodation standard has been adopted by the government to ensure the quality of housing for all workers.
Accor reveals new hotel brand for the Middle East as it ramps up expansion plans
Middle East and Africa primed for wellness tourism surge suggests GWTC study
US$240m worth of attractions contracts signed at Middle East expo
Qatar-owned luxury resort and spa to open in 2016 in Malaysia
Doha Oasis Mall to feature US$300m Adventure Island
FIFA World Cup 2022 will not be held in the Summer says Valcke
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
From Nobu Restaurants and Ian Schrager’s latest hotel to Imagination Playgrounds and the set design for The Rocky Horror Show, US architect and designer David Rockwell always keeps it fresh. He tells us the secrets of his creativity