Over 5,000 workers changed jobs in the first two months after the new entry, exit and residency law for Qatar’s expatriates was implemented, the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs (MADLSA) said yesterday.
According to the latest statistics issued by the Ministry as many as 5,196 expatriates took advantage of the new law after completing their employment contract or working five years of an open-ended contract.
This compares to 2,288 job transfer cases in 2016 before the law came into effect, the ministry said in a press statement yesterday, stressing that the new statistics published on Law No 21 of 2015 “show that Qatar is successfully implementing the provisions that came into effect in December 2016”.
The data, which pertain to the period from December 13, 2016 to February 15, 2017, show that 109,804 expatriates left Qatar for annual leave or other reasons. During the same period, 74,049 expatriates permanently departed Qatar after notifying their employers according to the terms of their contracts.
Speaking about the statistics, HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour & Social Affairs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi said: “The number of exit permits issued in the first two months demonstrates that the law is being effectively enforced. More than 184,000 expats benefited in this period, which shows that we are delivering on our promises. We have repeatedly expressed our unwavering commitment to labour reform and will continue to develop new policies that generate positive, tangible outcomes for expatriates.”
In the first two months of the new law, the Exit Permit Grievances Committee – the body established to settle exit disputes – received 761 applications. Exit permits were granted within 72 hours in 485 cases, 63 are currently under consideration and in 213 cases workers received an SMS indicating the reason their application was rejected, the statement noted.
Law No 21 of 2015, which abolishes the Kafala (sponsorship) system and guarantees greater flexibility, freedom and protection to Qatar’s expatriate workforce, has introduced new provisions regulating the entry, exit and residency requirements for all workers in the country.
The new measures came one year after HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani signed labour reforms into law.
Among other highlights, expatriates no longer need approval from their existing employer – under the new law – to change jobs if they complete the length of a fixed-term contract. Individuals in open-ended contracts will also be able to switch jobs without their existing employer’s permission provided they complete a five-year service period, the ministry had explained.
The MADLSA also said expatriates have the right to leave the country after notifying the employer, on leave or for an emergency.
If the employer rejects a leave request, the worker can appeal to the Exit Permit Grievances Committee that has to respond to all requests within three days. The applicant will be able to leave the country unless s/he is wanted in connection with any active criminal proceedings, or has defaulted on any debt in Qatar that remains unsettled, a previous report noted.
‘Steps taken to prevent exploitation’
HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour & Social Affairs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi has spoken about the measures being taken to prevent the exploitation of workers in labour-exporting countries. “Our worker welfare programme has so far focused on safeguarding the rights and freedoms of workers and improving their working and living conditions. But we are also taking a wider view of the migration cycle and addressing the issues at the source. We continue to co-operate with countries of origin, and have so far signed 36 bilateral agreements.”