The Gulf state of Qatar, host to football’s World Cup in 2022 and under pressure to improve conditions of migrant workers, pledged on Sunday to introduce new labor legislation by early 2015.

The emirate's sponsorship law, known as "kafala," which limits the rights of movement for foreign workers, will be replaced by new legislation that is "currently under review," said a statement from the labor and social affairs ministry.

"We expect to make announcements about new legislation by early next year," it said.

AFP