UA R6 (2015-2016): Requesting Specific Information on Labor Practices at Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar

Acknowledged by the President

• Resolution:
  UA R6 (2015-2016): Requesting Specific Information on Labor Practices at Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar
• Day:
  April 1, 2016
• Action:
  Acknowledged by the President
• Summary / Notes:
• File Attachments:
• Text Attachment:
  Dear Matthew,
  
  Thank you for conveying the University Assembly’s Resolution 6, “Requesting Specific Information on Labor Practices at Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar.” I appreciate your interest in closely examining this topic of great importance to the university administration as well as members of your constituencies.
  
  I can provide you with assurance that Cornell is vigilant about preventing any migrant worker abuse from occurring at WCM-Q. More broadly, we take measures to ensure that all WCM-Q personnel are treated respectfully, in accordance with Cornell’s values, and have working conditions that reflect the university’s high standards as a progressive employer.
  
  Direct employees of WCM-Q are covered by university-wide policies and protections. For our contracted staff, WCM-Q requires vendors to provide the benefits mandated by Qatari-law, such as salaries, overtime pay, transportation, housing, food allowances, home leave and health care cards. We communicate regularly with the vendors – and the staff members – in order to confirm that the benefits are delivered. WCM-Q directly promotes the well-being of our contracted workers by supplying free meals, a lunchroom with computers for their personal use, classes that can help them improve their skills and acquire new ones, and additional resources related to health and lifestyle.
  
  Since 2001, when Cornell entered into its agreement with the Qatar Foundation, we have advocated for better conditions for contracted workers. We have, and will continue to express our concerns and expectations in this regard to Qatar Foundation leadership. Collaboration with leaders of the other branch campuses in Education City is a powerful way to promote change. Together, as members of the President’s Council convened by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, we will convey our desired standards for contracted labor on our own campuses and our concerns about migrant labor practices throughout Qatar.
  
  The complicated task of improving working conditions within the kafala system requires extensive societal change. Even with the recent adoption of two promising Qatari laws, progress will undoubtedly be achieved more slowly than we would like. Cornell will continue to advocate for this cause while protecting the rights of our contracted staff and providing them with opportunities that go beyond the basic conditions required by contract.
  
  Thank you again for this submission.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Michael I. Kotlikoff
  Acting President