Probation Periods -

Thank you for your kind words. I just hope I can get this NOC now. If that fails perhaps I will need to go to Abu Dhabi. If I had a job lined up before my contract was signed it wouldn't be a problem. I suppose I'll just have to rely on my professionalism to ensure I can sell my reason for wanting an NOC. The best I can do is give them the costs of getting me over hear and admin costs for getting my visa through. Hopefully if these guys are fair and reasonable and understand that this role is not for me then then they might be sympathetic. Fingers, legs and arms crossed...

We'll all pray for your NOC. People like you who love Qatar should be able to stay and help build this country.

Mandi

Cheers mandi, this is not looking good for me then. I couldn't not sign my contract as I had put it off a day and only now am I starting to speak to the right people about work over here.

Talk about disaster, to say I feel like a prisoner is an understatement.

Rock, I don't think they have to have your passport in order for the RP to have been issued. The MOI would have issued it and it's in their computer. Stamping it in your passport is just a formality so you have a copy to show. If your RP hasn't yet been processed, your company would have to stop it in order for it not to be valid. You certainly can still quit under the probationary terms bu the NOC is still the problem.

Mandi

shoeaddict, i already sent u a PM. My new employer gave me 30days. And after 30days, have to join them. My release is pending because of the condition given by my current employer.

are you local hire?or were you recruited from our country?

this sounds unpleasant but i have to say this-

you know your employer should be the one to look for your replacement,not you,wether you were hired locally or not.

there are measures you can do to stop this from happening.

pm me

case to case basis.dnt be confused.i was with another employee from the same company who wasnt satisfied,asked for a NOC,and was given a list of all expenses he had to pay, including rent of 4000 qrs(2 mos)the time he occupied the flat.outrageous isnt it?and this situation falls under the radar,,,a little blackmail here and there.no payment,no NOC.

if you see he will go to the extent of blackmail,,,i suggest you file a report and bring this matter to the Labour Dept.

as i said,case to case basis.

shoeaddict, its my two years in my current employer this coming july 19. I got an offer to another company 2x higher than my current salary. When I asked them, they agreed to issue NOC provided I can find a replacement as good as me. Can i compel my current sponsor to issue NOC in my favor? What if he refuse to issue? Are there any remedies?

Please help

Oh ok. :-(

I'm a bit confused now - one of the guys works in recruitment and the other has been here 25 years!

I'm kind of preparing for the worst anyway, which you have hinted at. If they were to ask for 'accomodation expenses' is that the full cost of my apartment?

I was a bit optimistic last night but not so sure now.

ok,since they asked you to sign a contract and forwarded it to the labor department,the only thing you can do now is to ask for NOC.if your employer(sad to say this)deem you overqualified for the position,he may give you an NOC,or if he is a SOB,,,he might cancel you.

as what the law requires NOC's are usually given to employees after they served the two years that is the normal time stipulated in the contract.,

that being said,ive seen cases of employees who do not finish the contract but were given the NOC,however they were asked to pay for ALL(from the ticket to accomodation expenses)or MORE depending how SOB your sponsor is.

actually,,i had the same problem before and i was given a NOC,but was required to pay for all the expenses and additional fees(concocted by my first sponsor).

thanks

Hey,

The only date stamped is the date I arrived. There are no other stamps or dates in my passport. On my VISA there is a date also for December approximately 6 months from my entry so presumably I'm on some sort of 6 month visa? The only other thing I've done apart from the medical and the fingerprinting is sign my contract - they said this was to go to the labour department but that was all they told me. The guys I've spoke to were adamant that under no circumstances were I to give them my passport which inferred that this was the final step to getting an RP. (If it's any relevance this firm are Egyptian and not Qatari).

I'm sorry if the info doesn't help you to advise me but that is all I know.

Cheers

what was the stamp on your passport,,,date of entry?

there is a new rule in qatar,that the sponsor is not to hold your passport.if caught,they will be fined.

has your passport been stamped with the RP?or did they tell you turn it over to be stamped?

in the standard procedure,physical exam,followed by fingerprinting,then your RP.

rocking,,,clear with them what paper you signed for.ask for a copy.

get back to me.thanks

Hi Guys,

Just another query - I've had my medical and signed my contract (albeit reluctantly). When I arrived my passport was stamped to report to the relevant authorities within 7 days. I didn't pay any money on arrival and my company have since not asked for my passport. I've been told not to give it them if I am unhappy as technically without my passport being passed over for processing my RP I am not a Resident. Is this correct and if I am that unhappy and want to work for another firm can I technically leave without needing an NOC?

thank you mandi!..

Eiza, yes, if you have had an RP you need an NOC.

Mandi

Rockingham, since you haven't finalised your contract, just an idea, I'd use this opportunity to not sign until you have certain stipulations in there, i.e, time frame to be only 1 year contract or open ended with 3 months notice. Or if you really want out, ask for outrageous demands and then they might want you out.

And if your id is in reference to home (and in WA), you must feel at home topographically at least! :))

smile lots laugh more

hi. i just would like to ask something. i was in qatar last year and did my medical and fingerprinting and got the rp but i didnt sign a contract with them. the only contract i have is the contract marked sample signed from my home country.. do i still need to get an NOC from my employer?

thank you..

I personally wouldn't use the recruiter argument, they could just tell you to go find a better job at home. Be nice and offer to reimburse them and stress that you - and they - would be happier with other working relationships. Yes, the NOC thing is a problem if you want to continue working in Qatar. But you are free to look elsewhere. Yes, keep us posted.

Mandi

Thanks for the advice Mandi and Shoe.

Like I say the interview was conducted over the phone and the guys here, they speak ok English but it was extremely difficult for me to get a good conversation with the manager. Do you think that is the angle I should try to play it if I want an NOC - the fact that the Recruitment Agency has misled me? I was hoping to go on the basis that my experience is different to what they want me to do - perhaps I should use both?

I might have been a bit naive in knowing what questions to ask in the interview but after all that's happened and the stories I've told the people I've met here about my experiences they've told me to get out. There are quite a few guys here in the company who have been able to transfer from firms within Qatar quite easily so providing I tick the right boxes in the short term I am hoping that is the case for me. Hopefully if I can reimburse their costs as far as possible and they can see I'm not happy then they'll help me out :-/

I'll keep you posted.

It ain't good this NOC thing is it? I feel like a bloody prisoner and very vulnerable because of it.

Yes, usually the recruiter is paid only after you have completed a certain time on the job. Obviously he/she didn't do a good job in your case. An NOC is pretty simple, it's just a letter stating that that is what it is. Many employers here do not give them on principle, others have no problem with them.

Mandi

is after youve finished your 2 year contract.

if you dnt have the RP yet and you decide to tell them that its not working for you,,that may

a. give you the go to look for another job;

b.deportation;

c.retain you and tell you things will work out for the better.

rockin,,,it would be really difficult to read the mind of your boss/sponsor.any options that are there might happen

Mandi - what does the process entail in getting an NOC? Is it a case of asking for release and taking the stamped form to a government office or is there a bit more too it than that?

I ask because the beaurocracy on the paperwork is mindblowing!

They aren't aware no - I am going to give it another few weeks and at least give it a go, that way at least I have tried with them.

I have always had longevity in my work and haven't been with an employer less than two years (I have had two previous - one with 10 years and then another with 2 years) - but you know when you get the gut feeling that you've made the wrong decision? Well that was me after the first day!

The interview for the job was 5 minutes long and I don't think they fully understood the experience I have to what they require. Some guys in the office don't even fully understand what I can do for them and where I can fit in - others didn't even know that I was due here. I can't help but think I've just been hired because I am a westerner with western education. Incidently the firm pay my fees for hiring me but I assume that is after 3 or 6 months.

is your company aware of your desire to transfer?are they willing to give you a release?bottomline is that only your sponsor can give/sign your release or not.

cases of transfers here differ from one another.

get back tome rockin.

Agreed - just no guarantees! BTW, was it you or the company that has to pay the recruitment fees? Oh, and just FYI, my husband just tried to hire a woman who swore up and down she had an NOC - guess what, she didn't! Much time and money lost. I don't think he'll consider a "local hire" again very soon.

Mandi

Yes they recruited me from overseas - but I suppose providing I try and get a new job before the fees are due by the Recruitment Agency in my home country then I'm hoping there won't be a problem with these guys. I wouldn't want to leave on bad terms despite the 'indifferent' way I've been treated - so I'm being more than polite to everybody here in the basic arabic I can speak. Hopefully they can understand my situation and show some compassion in giving me an NOC. I'm going about things the best way I can - agree?!

I suspect that by the time you serve your notice you will have your RP. You will need an NOC to work for another company. Employers are not usually happy with worker who leave after being recruited from overseas. But yours MAY be happy with reimbursement of expenses. Or not, it's up to them. Kinda risky...

Mandi

The job I'm doing isn't exactly what I expected plus there are other problems I'm having with my employer. I have only signed a provisional contract, in that there was not much at all - just a few lines. I am supposed to be signing the contract this week but need to check it. had my medical and fingerprints but no RP yet. I was just wondering my rights under the Qatari Labour laws in a Probation Period? I've alluded in another thread to paying my visa and flight costs to cover their expenses if I find another job - are employers usually happy with this or not? I wouldn't be joining a competitor either.

yes to some extent.if you were hired directly then you will be on probation for 3 to 6 months.

were you actually given a contract?what is stipulated in the contract?

why will you file for a NOC?

here you have no right...lol

what do you mean are there any implications for you with the NOC?