Platinum Sponsor Of Third Annual Event Organised To Support The Advancement Of The Nations Migrant Workers Community

Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), has confirmed its continued support to protecting the rights of migrant workers in Qatar, as Platinum Sponsor of the third annual conference on Labour Rights Protection, to be held on the 1st of May to mark the International Workers Day.

Following two successful editions in 2014 and 2015, the third annual conference will be held under the theme “Paramount Reforms”, and will highlight the importance of cancelling the Kafala system and implementation of more stringent practices and measures to ensure the rights of workers are respected and protected. The conference will also present case studies on best practices from Qatar and the region, and discuss reports conducted by private companies in their efforts to safeguard labour rights and provide an improved situation for migrant workers in Qatar.

Held under the patronage of HE Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior for Qatar, the daylong conference will include two active sessions and will conclude with the launch of the latest ‘White Book’ that highlights the major achievements and challenges for further development and advancement of the country’s blue collar community. The event will also honour private and public institutions that have made significant contributions in this field.

Eng. Abdulla Hassan Al-Mehshadi, CEO of Msheireb Properties, said, “We are proud to be once again supporting this key initiative, which represents a vital development pillar of our 2030 National Vision. As a nation, we are committed to providing high-standards of work and living conditions to all workers”.

“Msheireb Properties pays a lot of importance to ensuring the overall well-being and safety of this very important community who are helping transform our country, and we strongly believe that dignified working and living conditions are essential to unlocking true human potential and development. At, Msheireb Properties, we carefully and constantly monitor the issue of human rights and all contractors assigned to the project must abide by the regulations set out in our Migrant Workers’ Welfare Charter, in addition to Qatar’s own labour laws. We are confident that the outcomes from the conference will further support the advancement of the country’s migrant workforce and help us all make better informed decisions.”

The event will bring together local government officials, representatives of international and local rights organizations and decision makers from private companies to discuss and debate this pertinent issue and develop policies and recommendations that will benefit the large migrant workforce and assist with sustained growth and development of Qatar.

Key topics to be discussed during the conference includes the role of the government in protecting worker rights and new reforms implemented to improve their conditions, responsibilities of operating companies to safeguard worker interests, vision and mission of human rights and labour organizations for enhancing work relationships, sharing best practices from responsible organizations in Qatar and the relevance of local laws and international standards amongst others.

Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) and Qatar’s leading sustainable developer, has won the ‘Best Conserving Building’ Award in the Government sector category at the fourth annual ‘Conserving Building Competition’ organised by the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa).

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al- Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, and as part of Kahramaa’s National Programme for Conservation and Energy Efficiency-Tarsheed, the competition recognises buildings that promote best practices in conservation of energy, water and other natural resources for continued sustainable development of Qatar.

The award was presented to Eng. Abdulla Al Mehshadi, Chief Executive Officer of Msheireb Properties, at a ceremony held in Doha.

Msheireb Properties was applauded for its innovative approach to sustainable development and regeneration, and won the ‘Best Conserving Building’ award in the Government sector category for its work on the Qatar Academy Msheireb. Opened in September 2015, it’s officially the first building to start operations in Msheireb Downtown Doha and spans an area of 12,754 square meters. The world class establishment contains a spacious swimming pool, a dedicated dining area, music and art rooms, basketball and volley ball courts, a gymnasium, as well as a comprehensive library.

Judged by an elite panel of industry experts, the competition witnessed a strong participation from leading organisations representing diverse business sectors in Qatar and was held under the theme ‘Become one with nature’. Open to all existing residential, commercial, government and industrial buildings as well as sports and tourism venues, the competition is designed to raise awareness on the long-term benefits of building conservation and encourages consumers to adopt energy preservation practices for a better environment and improved living conditions.

Commenting on the win, Eng. Abdulla Hassan Al-Mehshadi, CEO, Msheireb Properties said, “We are delighted to receive the ‘Best Conserving Building Award’ which reflects our commitment to restore the historical significance of the commercial heart of the city, and introduce a brand-new architectural language that will add to the pride of Doha and its people. At Msheireb Downtown Doha, we have always strived to set the standards for sustainable development by adopting environmentally responsible practices and have consistently delivered on our promise. This award is a testament to the projects overall architectural design that is built on key sustainability principles to achieve a greatly reduced carbon footprint, making it a model for urban regeneration. The opening of Qatar Academy Msheireb is a significant milestone in the projects development as it reinforces our commitment to create an environment which caters to all the needs of our residents, while also nurturing a sense of community living that will be visible through the entire development.”

“It has been a truly exciting time for all of us at Msheireb Properties, and such recognitions serve as an inspiration to raise the bar even more for responsible development in Qatar and the region, and help preserve resources for future generations.”

Msheireb Downtown Doha is a wholly sustainable project that focuses on environmental conservation and energy efficiency. This translates to more efficient use of resources, minimised waste and reduced carbon footprint. To date, Msheireb Properties has earned the ISO certification from the British Standards Institution for quality (ISO 9001:2008), environmental performance (ISO 14001:2004), and occupational health, safety (BS OHSAS 18001:2007) and ISO 31000:2009 for Risk Management Standard.