(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ictQatar) yesterday launched the second phase of Better Connections Programme under which it plans to set up 75 new facilities (computer rooms) by 2015-end to train more transient workers in computer and information technology.
The ministry, in association with other stakeholders, set up 25 rooms in the first phase.
A new group of institutions and companies, including National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), Ezdan Holding Group, Qatar Rail, Msheireb Properties, Qatar Fuel (Woqod), QDVC and UCC announced to partner with the ministry in the second phase.
Aiming to raise workers' ICT awareness, the programme, launched last May, gives contractors and employers a practical framework to provide training and access to ICT tools for workers.
New ICT facilities will be set up at worker accommodations, taking the total number of facilities to nearly 100 by December.
"I emphasise this work will only be completed and fruitful through support and contributions from our partners whose expertise will add a lot to the programme," Reem Al Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary, Digital Society Development, ictQATAR, said at the launch at InterContinental the City Hotel.
The ministry signed MoUs with new institutions and companies - one with NHRC. The committee will monitor and update the content it had earlier created for workers, part of which talks about workers' rights. NHRC will also set up an ICT facility in its headquarters.
Two MoUs with Qatar Rail and Msheireb Properties will ensure their contractors provide facilities equipped with Internet connection and ICT tools at their workers' accommodations.
Hassan Ahmed Al Marwani, Technical Interface Director, Qatar Rail, said, "We are committed to ensuring all our workers are provided with the best possible welfare facilities on and off construction sites. In this sense, we make sure to apply the highest standards in establishing workers' accommodation from safe living units to social rooms and recreation facilities, including special facilities for computers and Internet access ensuring our workers are practising their right to be connected to the world."
Abdullah Hassan Al Mehshadi, CEO, Msheireb Properties, said, "We are pleased to sign this MoU, as we believe the programme will impact the lives of labourers and their families by encouraging them to develop communications, leadership and IT skills."
ictQatar signed four more MoUs with Ezdan Holding Group, Woqod, QDVC and UCC under which the companies will provide spaces for workers to access ICTs and the Internet where they live.
Last January, ictQatar launched Phase One and signed MoUs with several institutions, including Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Qatar Foundation, ROTA, RAF, Microsoft Qatar and CH2M.
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