By Ramesh Mathew/Staff Reporter

The introduction of the Wage Protection System (WPS) in the country from this month has apparently led to long queues at many ATMs across Doha, particularly on the weekends.
With a record number of companies joining the WPS , several thousands of the workers, who were not familiar with the debit cards earlier, have now started using them. As a result, there are long queues of workers at the ATMs, especially of those banks where the workers have their salary accounts. The system, that makes it mandatory for employers to pay their staff through banks, was introduced with the intention of ensuring timely payment of salaries to workers.
"Some of the workers, it seems, are using only the ATMs of those banks where they hold the accounts as they are under the impression that only they can dispense them cash. This seems to be one of the reasons why there are exceptionally long queues in front of some ATMs," said a resident. There are also cases of workers seeking the help of others in taking cash from ATMs, it is understood.
On Friday, a long time city resident said he had to help at least half a dozen new debit card holders while being at a hypermarket where there are some 4 ATMs. Most of the new card holders seem to be not only unfamiliar with the use of cards but some of them are also scared of using them, lest it would complicate things for them.
Inquiries have found some of the banks have issued a large number of debit cards to the workers who have opened salary accounts following the introduction of the WPS.
The long queues in front of one of the branches of a local bank, situated in the Barwa Village, is now a common sight these days. The branch has been authorised by the bank to deal with its new account holders following the introduction of the WPS, it is understood.
Some of the city residents feel it is time banks installed more ATMs in those areas where there are concentration of worker populations.