The Emir of Qatar has announced a new labour law that will give Qatari workers the right to form legally recognised groups under the umbrella of a general workers' union.

The development is significant for British journalist Yvonne Ridley who was sacked by Qatar-based Al-Jazeera.net in November 2003. Ms Ridley had formed the first Middle East branch of the UK's National Union of Journalists and it is possible that her union involvement may have contributed to her dismissal.

Ms Ridley is involved in legal proceedings with Al-Jazeera over the matter and told dotJournalism that the recognition of unions is a great development for her case.

"Now that the Emir is initiating the union movement in Qatar, Al-Jazeera's argument will be that my work presented a threat to national security," Ms Ridley told dotJournalism.

More Al-Jazeera news on dotJournalism:
http://www.journalism.co.uk/news/story788.shtml
http://www.journalism.co.uk/news/story769.shtml
http://www.journalism.co.uk/news/story709.html

Yvonne Ridley Q&A:
http://www.journalism.co.uk/profiles/profile6.shtml

See also:
http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=local_news&month=may2004&file=local_news20040520486.xml