Qatar has delayed introducing a new system designed to make sure firms pay salaries fully and on time, a Doha newspaper reported on Tuesday, as the country faces scrutiny over the rights of migrant workers building stadiums for the 2022 World Cup.

Since being chosen to host the tournament, Qatar has been criticised over workers' safety, late and incomplete wages and the so-called 'kafala' system under which companies may stop employees from leaving the country.

In February, Qatar's emir approved amending labour laws to make companies pay salaried workers by electronic bank transfer. Firms were given six months before the Wage Protection System came into force but the government has now delayed its launch until November 2 because some were not yet ready, the Peninsula Qatar newspaper reported.

Government officials did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

Amnesty International has warned the new system will not cover hundreds of thousands of casual workers or those employed by small firms.

Construction firms complain the government and other clients can take so long to pay that it strains cashflows.

Qatar said in May 2014 it would introduce reforms including the abolition of kafala, but Amnesty says the proposed changes fall far short of ending the practice, and companies would still be able to stop employees joining another Qatari firm for five years.. - Reuters