New Labour Law - Things you should know.

The Major highlights - Thinsg your should know about new labour law.

The expats who finish fixed contracts will no longer need their sponsor’s approval to take up another job. Previously, one had to wait two years to work in Qatar again if an employer refused to grant a no objection certificate to change jobs.

All expatriate workers will be given fresh job contracts by their employers after the new law regulating entry, exit and residency of foreigners in Qatar comes into force by 2016-end.

It appears the employer will continue to play a significant role in regulating the departure of his employees. But now, instead of directly petitioning the sponsor, expats who wish to leave the country must inform the Ministry of Interior at least three business days before their exit.The MOI would then wait for the sponsor’s approval or objection before permitting the exit

With regards to the no-objection certificate (NOC), the former law stated that expats could not return to work in Qatar for two years after their contract ended unless they had their sponsor’s approval. Now, in the new labour law after a fixed-term contract is up, an expat would not have to leave the country before changing jobs.

Articles 21-23 state that:

  • An expat can change jobs before his contract ends if he obtains permission from his sponsor, the MOI and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs;
  • An expat can change jobs if his contract has already ended if he gets the approval of MOI and MOLSA. In the case of expats with open-ended contracts, they can seek this approval after five years with their initial job; and
  • An expat can also move to another sponsor – with the approval of MOI and MOLSA – if the sponsor is dead or the company no longer exists for any reason.

The wage protection system was signed by the Emir in February, and requires companies to pay their employees through direct bank transfers starting Nov. 2, following an extended grace period. Employees should be paid in Qatari currency once a month directly into a bank account, or for some category of workers, every two weeks. Firms that flout the new rules risk penalties of up to one month in prison and a maximum QR 6,000 fine.