Qatar has launched a special portal to make it easier for expatriate workers to access government services and information. The portal is part of the e-government website Hukoomi.
The move complements the Better Connections Programme of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, which has till now provided free internet connection to over 50,000 expatriate workers at their homes.
The new portlet, “Hukoomi for Migrant Workers” will be available in five languages: Arabic, English, Hindi, Nepalese and Tagalog.
The multilingual portal is the result of collaboration between the Ministry of Transport and Communication, Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs and several other ministries and government bodies concerned with providing services to the expatriate workforce.
The portal was launched at an event on Thursday which saw the Minister of Transport and Communications, H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti opening a new ICT facility at Doha Metro compound where Qatar Rail labourers live.
The event marked the completion of the first 100 ICT facilities as planned for phase two of the ministry’s Better Connections Programme.
The new facility takes the number of workers benefiting from the free Internet connection in their accommodations beyond 50,000. They are now able to perceive, use and benefit from information and communication technologies where they live. Having access to ICTs tools, labourers learn how to keep connected with friends and families, in addition to learning new digital skills.
Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs H E Dr Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi and representatives of partnering entities were present at the event. Better Connections is an initiative to include migrant workers with little to no ICT skills in Qatar’s digital society by ensuring they have access to ICTs and the Internet where they live.
In his opening remarks, Al Sulaiti said; “All that we see today is part of the ministry’s Digital Inclusion Strategy to enhance digital culture among citizens and residents, particularly those who have little to no ICT skills. The goal is to ensure everyone has access to ICT tools.”
Reem Al Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary, Digital Society Development at the ministry, said in a presentation that it is crucial to remain updated with the digital revolution by enhancing digital skills of all sections of the society.
“One way to appreciate migrant workers’ role in Qatar’s urban development is the Better Connections Programme, a key component to boost digital skills of migrant workers, supporting Qatar’s goal of building a smart society,” she said.
The programme aims to provide spaces equipped with ICT tools and Internet connectivity where workers live and train them in how to use ICTs through volunteers to ensure ICT-equipped facilities provide utmost benefits to workers.
“The programme has been receiving great feedback from beneficiary workers and employers. We look forward to achieving digital inclusion in all workers’ residential areas and all segments of society,” said Al Mansoori.
The ministry has welcomed three new programme partners — Ooredoo, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) and the Qatar Ports Management Co. (Mawani Qatar). Three MoUs were signed under which Ashghal and Mawani Qatar will make sure their contractors provide facilities equipped with ICT tools and Internet connection for their migrant workers. And Ooredoo is the free Internet connectivity provider. The ministry had earlier signed MoUs with institutions and companies to cover as many worker beneficiaries as possible, including RAF, ROTA, Microsoft Qatar, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Qatar Foundation, National Human Rights Committee, Qatar Rail, Ezdan Holding Group, Musheireb Properties, Qatar Fuel (Woqod), CH2M and QDVC.
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Quelle/Source: The Peninsula , 13.03.2016
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