The fresh commitments have been published in a 50-page document that sets out detailed standards on payment of wages, accommodation and welfare and promises to introduce a tough new inspection regime.
Costs were divided between MADE-IN or MADE-FOR, either as they fall clearly to one (such as informants' transportation fee, which is a MADE-IN expenditure), or, for more general expenditure (wages, accommodation for the survey team), based on the number of data-collector-days spent on MADE-IN and MADE-FOR, which was generally similar.
It is important that workloads are managed to prevent burn-out and that conditions such as wages and accommodation are negotiated in an open and transparent way.
He said companies faced severe fines or closure if they failed to comply with new rules on payment of wages, standards of accommodation and other aspects of the employment of migrant workers in the hyper-wealthy Gulf emirate.
As well as the death toll and working conditions, other criticisms focus on the non-payment of wages, poor quality accommodation and a lack of freedom to change jobs or leave the country.
Abdullah al-Khulaifi, labour minister, told me he had had nightmares as a result and felt unfairly criticised, but was still keen to highlight positive reforms – improved standards of workers' accommodation, wage-payment methods and the enforcement of other rules.
Unions have highlighted cases of Polish workers sleeping in barns, and migrants on the minimum wage being placed in accommodation not fit for human habitation to cut costs.
For starters, the law now declares that state law overrides all local ordinances concerning employment, public accommodations and wages.
Some gangmasters pay starvation wages and dock money for accommodation in gruesome hostels.
While the conditions reported vary, all share common features - extremely low wages, overcharging for sub-standard accommodation, almost complete dependence on the goodwill of their 'organisers' - and extreme vulnerability to abuse and exploitation.
Employers, particularly those who employ low-wage workers, should adopt fair accommodation policies for pregnant workers that are clear, consistent and don't unfairly burden women, not only to avoid liability, but for the most basic reason of all: respect for pregnant workers' rights.
