The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has proposed strict penalties on employers who fail to transfer salaries of their employees to the bank within a maximum seven days from the due date.
The penalties are included in the draft ministerial decision on Wage Protection System (WPS) approved by the State Cabinet yesterday. The Cabinet in its regular meeting also discussed measures for issuing the draft law amending some provisions of the labour law. The amendments make it mandatory for employers to transfer salaries of their employees to a financial institution in the country.
As per the draft ministerial decision, the ministry can either stop issuing new work permits to the erring employers, or stop all dealings with them, except attestation of the labour contracts.
The curbs can be lifted by the Minister or his representative only after the employer in question pays all outstanding wages and submit a proof of it. The minister or his representative will take a decision on what action has to be taken against the erring employer as per the law.
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The Labour Inspection Department may request a detailed report from the employer on payment of the workers’ wages.
WPS aims to ensure that employers fulfil their obligation of paying the workers’ wages in a timely manner, and in accordance with their contracts and the applicable regulations in the state.
The draft authorizes the department at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to take the necessary measures to implement the Wage Protection System (WPS) for workers under the labour law.
A regular meeting of the Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister and Interior Minister
H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani also discussed the necessary measures for issuing a draft law amending some provisions of the labour law (No. 14 for the year 2004).
The Cabinet thereafter, reviewed the Advisory Council’s recommendations on the draft law.
According to the amendment, workers who have been hired on annual or monthly salaries are to be paid once a month, but all other workers must be paid at least once every two weeks.
The Minister of Labour and Social Affairs will issue the required regulations to ensure payment of workers’ salaries in time in compliance with the law.
