Drastic changes to be made in Qatar’s Labour Law
When people come to Qatar looking for their dream job, little do they know about the “Kafala” systems that have been prevailing in this country so far.
This much criticized Labour Law system has been altered in the decree issued by the Emir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thany, yesterday.
Both Gulf Times and The Peninsula report that according to the new reforms made in the law, expats who decide on planning to “exit” the country no longer need to wait for approval from their sponsors.
Instead, they have to inform the Ministry of Interior (MoI) at least three days prior to the exit and the MoI will then contact the sponsor for his approval.
Also, employees can freely take up another job without the approval of their sponsors. Previously, if a sponsor refuses to give the NOC (No Objection Certificate), the employee cannot work in the country for a good two years.
Also, an expat doesn’t have to wait anymore for a fixed contract to end in order to change his job. He could change his job or his sponsor anytime he wants but with the approval of the MoI, Ministry of Labour and Social Affair (MOLSA) and his sponsor.
However, although the reforms have been made by the Emir, according to QNA, they will come into action only after about a year.
Any thoughts?
(Cover pic courtesy: Muhammad Kamran Qureshi)
Even Tupac can't see the changes!!!
NONESENSE ARTICLE....
Visa are still "sold". The government should be the sole sponsor! As long as individual locals can "sponsor" foreigners the practice of illegal visa will continue.
AFTER A YEAR ......AFTER A YEAR ......AFTER A YEAR ......AFTER A YEAR ......AFTER A YEAR ......
HEARING THIS FROM LONG LONG TIME... :) SOON it will become 2022 :D when Workers will leave this country.. WOWW
AFTER A YEAR ......AFTER A YEAR ......AFTER A YEAR ......AFTER A YEAR ......AFTER A YEAR ......
HEARING THIS FROM LONG LONG TIME... :) SOON it will become 2022 :D
I mean people making this law!
The more things "change" the more they stay the same. Not news.
I want to read the full translation before giving my opinion, but if somehow what has been circulated in the newspapers were right then making this laws think we expat are stupid. Isn't it NOC=sponsor's approval in Arabic?
It's a Round About folks, nothing was changed.
Same as before... Nothing changed....
wow! is it me, or they think all people who reads this are STUPID? where is the change? and again, WOW!
Control Freak Managers would now have sleepless nights.
This should be posted in the funnies section.
This the same old wine served in new bottle, still the employer old upper hand, then whats the benefit for the expat worker.
That doesn't make any different still you need to beg for approval to change job.
What in case if we are required to leave in case of emergency, wait for 3 days......
so APPROVAL =NOC for me no change to the law, infact still more complicated...
Instead of sponsor doing immediate exit permit application for you, you will now be required to apply to the ministry at least 3 days prior to travel.
yes still he same no change
Yes, its still the same.
some words they just re-phrase but still the same meaning.
Yes, its still the same.
some words they just re-phrase but still the same meaning.
Yes, the newpaper is wrong
You do not need sponser approval to get exit permit, however, they can object to it, and then you have the right to seek such approval from the concerned authority
You only need sponser approval to change employer if you are still under contract, or less than 5 years if employed without contract. Else sponser approval is not requred, however, approval of authorities for the transfer is still in effect
For exit still need Sponsor approval.
For changing job during contract period- still need sponsor approval
For changing job after fixed contract period- Still need sponsor approval
For changing job after 5 years for open contract- Still need sponsor approval
Then what is the change ?? I think/hope there are some mistake in the news reporting or in my understanding .
Above not clear. Please see below from Peninsula.
Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday issued Law Number 21 of 2015 regulating the entry and exit of expatriates and their residency.
The law is to be implemented one year after the date of its publication in the official gazette, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.
According to the law, no foreign worker will be allowed to enter Qatar unless he has signed a job contract with the employer and the contract is signed by both the parties.
Hotels and tourism facilities providing entry visas to foreigners must inform the authorities concerned if the person is missing for 48 hours. Such information must be passed on within 24 hours.
An expatriate or his employer must inform the authorities concerned for exit permit three days before an expatriate has to travel overseas.
In case the employer or the authorities concerned object to the travel, the worker can approach a Grievance Committee at the Ministry of Interior to seek exit permit. The committee is to be set up and its job is to be specified by a ministerial decision.
An expatriate worker can leave Qatar either getting approval from his employer or from the authorities concerned. In emergency cases, the Grievance Committee, based on an expatriate’s request to leave Qatar, must take a decision within three working days.
Residency permits of expatriates must be renewed within 90 days of expiry. The employer cannot keep his worker’s passport or travel document except with written permission from him (the worker). Within 30 days of arrival of an expatriate here, his RP should be processed.
An expatriate’s spouse and children up to 25 years of age (if daughters are unmarried) are entitled to RP. The age limit can be waived by the Minister or his representative.
In the case of a newborn, its RP must be stamped within 90 days from the date of birth.
An expatriate worker with RP cannot stay abroad for more than six months unless he has sought permission and for that and has paid the required fee.
An expatriate worker will be responsible for the entry and stay of his spouse (even if she works) and children. If divorced, a spouse can apply for approval from the authorities concerned to be the employer’s responsibility.
All employers must be responsible for repatriation of their employees and in case of death, repatriation of the bodies home.
The employer must inform authorities within 24 hours if an expatriate worker has left work and refuses to leave Qatar if his RP has been cancelled.
Expatriate workers with limited duration employment contracts, can change the employer at the end of their contract period provided they have approval from their existing employer, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
Before the end of job contract, an expatriate worker can take up another job if he has approval from his present employer and both ministries.
If the job contract is open-ended, a worker can change job after five years with approval from his current employer and both ministries.
If an employer dies and his company becomes inactive, its employees can change job with the above-said approvals.
The Ministry of Interior can temporarily depute a worker to another company for a temporary period in case of a lawsuit, etc., subject to the approval of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
In case of abuse of a worker, the Minister or his representative can transfer the job of an expatriate worker.
An expatriate worker must leave Qatar within 90 days if he is not issued RP, or his RP is cancelled or has expired.
He can come back to take up a job only after he gets approval from authorities and fulfils requirements.
Workers deported by court order cannot come back except after approval from the Minister or his representative.
Foreign businessmen, investors and real estate owners, as identified by the Cabinet, will be issued RP for five years renewable for further five years or more.
Spouses, children and parents of expatriates will not need exit permit to leave Qatar.
The Peninsula
No more "emergency" exits.
Exit permit shall be issued by your Employer (Sponsor) only.
If there is dispute , you can approach the MOI and the committee shall inquire with your Employer (Sponsor), the reason for rejection of Exit permit. If the reason provided by the Employer (Sponsor)is found genuine, you will be denied Exit permit else you will be granted.
This is the new rule.
http://www.migrant-rights.org/2015/10/qatar-no-country-for-migrant-men/
1). What if there is any emergency
2). What if the emergency comes on Thursday evening. For which person has to wait till Sunday.
3). Is MOI going to work 24x7.
Needs more clarify on the subject.
what about emergency exit ?