A/HRC/44/44/Add.1 offered by the Ministry of Labour, the Qatar National Human Rights Committee and the Human Rights Department at the Ministry of the Interior are often slow and unclear, causing frustration among workers. A central database for all complaints filed with the Ministry of Labour that is accessible to deportation courts and the police would substantially improve the situation of migrant workers who file complaints. G. Wage protection system 41. In order to address the non-payment of wages by some employers, in November 2015 the Government introduced a wage protection system, which requires companies (though to date not employers of domestic workers) to pay their employees by electronic transfer. By means of the system the authorities are able to monitor compliance and to blacklist companies that fail to pay workers. Blacklisted companies are unable to hire new employees or to carry out certain bureaucratic transactions. Although the system is a positive measure, it still has some blind spots; according to reports, the system does not always detect delays in the payment of salaries, which can have a serious impact on the lives of migrants and their families. The system should therefore be closely monitored and improved. 42. In November 2018, the Government decided to establish a workers’ fund. Once the fund is fully operational, it will pay workers their unpaid wages immediately following a decision by a labour dispute committee, while the Government recovers them from the employers. 43. The Independent Expert also noted other areas where improvements could be made, such as the opening of more private shelters (including shelters for persons who file complaints against employers), regular sensitization of employers about the rights of workers, and sustained increase of well-resourced labour inspection bodies. He was also informed about (though did not personally observe) overcrowding in pre-deportation detention centres run by the Search and Follow-Up Department. In any case, the Independent Expert encourages greater use of alternatives to the detention of migrant workers. VI. Gulf crisis 44. In 2017, a diplomatic crisis engulfed Qatar, with several neighbouring States causing hardship and inconvenience to not only many of its citizens, but also to residents, including migrant workers, who were forced to endure an increase in the cost of certain commodities and food prices as a result of the crisis. The sudden closing of borders by neighbouring States affected Qatari students in States involved in the crisis, interrupted medical care, access for Qataris to places of faith was hindered, and some Qatari families with relatives in other Gulf States were separated from their relatives for periods of time. The crisis particularly affected mixed-nationality families. In the meantime, travel to and from Qatar remains restricted, and the land border with Saudi Arabia remains closed. Qataris can only travel to visit relatives in neighbouring States involved in the crisis if they obtain a government authorization explaining the “humanitarian” purpose for their trip. VII. Conclusions and recommendations A. Conclusions 45. The Independent Expert praises Qatar for its robust support for international development and cooperation, which concretely demonstrates the State’s commitment to international solidarity. 46. With regard to the domestic implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Independent Expert notes that Qatar has taken important measures to address some of the inequalities affecting the migrant worker population, but emphasizes that Qatar must redouble its efforts to further its domestic efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Similarly, he urges Qatar to do even to take climate 11