Replacing boxes of paperwork, a new tailor-made IT platform designed by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) means that audits and inspections will now be readily accessible on an iPad, desktop or mobile phone. The innovative system will make implementation, auditing and feedback on the SC's Workers' Welfare Standards quicker, more effective, and is now being implemented by contractors and SC auditors alike.

The Workers' Welfare System is being rolled out this week together with SC contractors, and will include a multitude of centralised information. For contractors, it will mean receiving immediate feedback and potential rectification plans from the SC. The new IT Platform was introduced to contractors in a workshop involving numerous companies working across SC projects.

SC Secretary General Hassan Al Thawadi said the new system was another step on the journey towards using innovative and effective solutions as the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™ continues to act as a catalyst for workers welfare improvements.

"It is exciting to see this innovative IT platform being implemented on our projects and starting to make a real difference for our auditing and compliance process," said Al Thawadi. "This represents another important step forward as we roll out a technologically-advanced, efficient way of monitoring our workers' welfare standards. Our customised platform will ensure ease of use for contractors, as well as providing our team with immediate insight, traceability and accountability as we continue to make progress on Workers' Welfare."

In the first workshop on the new system held at the SC offices last week, contractors were shown how to use the platform and their feedback was taken on board. For all those present, it was an important improvement in their auditing system. Andrew Baxter is the Workers' Welfare Officer and Facilities Manager at Bin Omran. The expert from London has been working in the field in Qatar for two years and has seen his audits made more efficient by the new system – saying it will directly benefit workers.

"The new system will make life easier for us," Baxter said as he tested the system on his iPad during the workshop. "Before the problem was you did an audit, went back to the office and it was hard to relate everything in a systematic way. Now it goes straight to the SC team and you can't forget things, you can't miss deadlines, so this will definitely help workers as we close out actions much more efficiently. It is a self-explanatory system which makes things more stream-lined and transparent."

Andrew Baxter using the IT platform on a site visit.

With his company currently involved in two SC projects, at Al Bayt Stadium – Al Khor City and Al Rayyan Stadium, the 300 workers currently being included in the system from Bin Omran will eventually go up to around 1000 as construction activity increases.

Victor Matar from Midmac is employing the new platform for the Al Wakrah Stadium main contractor workers, and added that the system was a practical step which would ensure transparency and immediate feedback: "I think this is a strong model which can be used in other contexts as well. You cannot hide anything in this system, it ensures full transparency and is easy to use. You will get the feedback immediately from the SC. It will also save time for us because you have everything at a glance."

For Stephan Van Dyk, SC Audit and Training Manager, the platform was a collaborative effort which was taken from a basic spreadsheet into a full IT platform developed in conjunction with experts at Aspire. He said that the system represents a rapid way of accessing all of the relevant information and would be further enhanced in phase two: "This system reduces paperwork and allows us to work as quickly and efficiently as possible to monitor everything from washing facilities, minutes of meetings, how many workers are on site, ethical recruitment, all from the ease of iPads and mobile phones. Access will be immediate and traceability and compliance will be paramount."

At the tap of a fingertip, the SC Workers' Welfare Unit now has access to a wide array of information, follows up on deadlines for rectifications, and can set penalties for those companies that do not comply.

Moin Hamade, Assistant Worker Welfare Manager at Nakheel, said the system would make day to day functioning easier for all those involved in the auditing process.

"It is a very good system. Sharing information with the SC immediately, we can solve any issues as soon as they arise. This means there is quick feedback and action. My everyday work is made easier, and the satisfaction of the workers is the most important thing for us as we continuously try to improve the safety and welfare of the workers."