Qatar could agree a deal within a fortnight to abolish its controversial exit visa system, which requires workers to obtain their employers' permission to leave the country, labor experts said Sunday.

The possibility of a landmark deal came as the International Labour Organization opened an office in Doha Sunday, part of an agreement under which the United Nations agency will oversee wholesale labor reform by the 2022 World Cup host.

A deal to establish an ILO office in Qatar was made last October after Doha agreed to a wholesale package of labor reforms which also included introducing a minimum wage and a grievance procedure for workers.

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