Qatar cabinet approves changes to sponsorship law

Qatar cabinet approves changes to sponsorship law

QatarNews
By QatarNews

The much-awaited changes to Qatar's kafala system would come into force only a year after the new sponsorship law is passed and published in the official gazette.

The law, which would replace the current sponsorship system, is likely to be issued by the year-end as its draft was yesterday referred by the Cabinet to higher-ups for final approval and issuance.

Article 50 of the Draft Law indicates that it is to be put into force only a year after its publication in the official gazette, according to famous lawyer Yusuf Al Zaman.

The reason for the time to be allowed for the law's enforcement is to ensure that a conducive social and economic environment is created in the country and administrative and executive agencies are ready for applying the new system.

That would also give the private companies covered by the labour law enough time to correct their situation to be able to comply with the changes, Al Zaman said.

In the new law being introduced, terms like 'sponsor' (kafeel), 'sponsorship' (kafala), 'exit permit' (tashera al khurooj) will not be used.

They would be replaced by 'employer', 'employee' or 'expat worker' as the new law would regulate the relationship of foreign worker with his employer based on job contract they mutually agree to sign.

The draft does away with the exit permit system but the Advisory Council has recommended that expatriates leaving the country must inform their employers at least three days in advance, said Al Zaman.

The employer would, though, have no right to object and stop the worker from travelling overseas. If at all, that right will be exercised only by the public prosecution or any competent legal authority.

And that right would be exercised only if there is a lawsuit against an expat worker or any other legal issue.

In those circumstance also an order to prevent a worker from travelling abroad must be issued by public prosecution or a court or any other legal authority, said Al Zaman.

By introducing the new law, he said, Qatar would, thus, be fulfilling its promise of changing its sponsorship system. [The Peninsula]

What do you think of the changes?

By keeppurathu• 14 Sep 2015 10:17
keeppurathu

http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/views/political-views/351955/the-sponsorship-system-in-qatar-challenges-and-implications

By Luxtuk• 12 Sep 2015 15:07
Luxtuk

http://www.qatarday.com/news/local/qatar-on-the-right-track-for-true-labour/25094

By nashpp• 12 Sep 2015 08:54
nashpp

wow,,,wat a changes dude...congradulations....

By promise• 11 Sep 2015 22:58
Rating: 4/5
promise

The changes in "Sponsor", "Sponsorship" and "Exit permit" is just a little of what are really expected to change. Our major concerns as employees are: i. Release/NOC and job switching, ii. 2 years ban and iii. Exit permit, are the major concern of all employee. When the system is restructured and we are allowed to switch job easily, exit the country with no headache from employers, then, I believe there have been changes. Hopefully, let's wait and see how it goes. December is just tomorrow.

By acchabaccha• 11 Sep 2015 21:57
acchabaccha

I think The Peninsula may have missed out some important information. While going through Gulf Times of yesterday, I got to understand that the two-year ban has been abolished. Let's wait and see.

By 1977adil• 11 Sep 2015 09:41
1977adil

Seems no change.

By hamadghulam• 11 Sep 2015 02:02
hamadghulam

what about 2 years ban that is the biggest issue???? they should remove that ASAP

By Elegy• 11 Sep 2015 01:52
Elegy

i am least bothered about exit permit...what about switching JOBs NOC release ???? and what happens if someone want to change within the signed contract period ???

By perdian• 10 Sep 2015 19:53
perdian

@sdhique.mulanthala - you seemed to have misunderstood, NOBODY is afraid of exit permit, only problem with it was it is being misused by a lot of employer / qatari sponsor - heard first hand about some who got abused etc. etc. so on so forth, not every employer/qatari sponsor you can reasoned with. MAJORITY of them are without a doubt, UNREASONABLE.

By sdhique.mulanthala• 10 Sep 2015 19:16
sdhique.mulanthala

Who is afraid of exit permit system anyway?.

By PunchLiner• 10 Sep 2015 16:36
PunchLiner

Don't be fooled by a mirage...

By perdian• 10 Sep 2015 15:55
perdian

Finally some good news, INDEED! but something is bothering me, "The draft does away with the exit permit system but the Advisory Council has recommended that expatriates leaving the country must inform their employers at least three days in advance" - is this like verbal to your employer or need a formal document that needs to be sent to immigration. Can be confusing, better wait for it to be implemented and will see.

By muhammad yasir siddiqui• 10 Sep 2015 14:00
muhammad yasir siddiqui

hope to hear good news... if its get approved finally..

By ravishankarmg• 10 Sep 2015 13:54
Rating: 2/5
ravishankarmg

Very innovative change.

terms like 'sponsor' (kafeel), 'sponsorship' (kafala), 'exit permit' (tashera al khurooj) will not be used.

They would be replaced by 'employer', 'employee' or 'expat worker'.

All other things appears to remain same.

This is what was expected for 4 decades and finally it has happened.

By ravishankarmg• 10 Sep 2015 13:52
Rating: 3/5
ravishankarmg

Very innovative change.

terms like 'sponsor' (kafeel), 'sponsorship' (kafala), 'exit permit' (tashera al khurooj) will not be used.

They would be replaced by 'employer', 'employee' or 'expat worker'.

All other things appears to remain same.

This is what was expected for 4 decades and finally it has happened.

By ravishankarmg• 10 Sep 2015 13:51
Rating: 3/5
ravishankarmg

Very innovative change.

terms like 'sponsor' (kafeel), 'sponsorship' (kafala), 'exit permit' (tashera al khurooj) will not be used.

They would be replaced by 'employer', 'employee' or 'expat worker'-

This is what was expected for 4 decades and finally it has happened.

By blueboy007• 10 Sep 2015 13:46
blueboy007

I wil be too old to change job till that time :D

By blueboy007• 10 Sep 2015 13:45
blueboy007

Hahahaha

By keeppurathu• 10 Sep 2015 13:39
Rating: 4/5
keeppurathu

terms like 'sponsor' (kafeel), 'sponsorship' (kafala), 'exit permit' (tashera al khurooj) will not be used.

They would be replaced by 'employer', 'employee' or 'expat worker'- Nothing more than this in practical life.If anything given in favor of the employee in the law , companies will find way to overcome that within the one year implementation period.

By britexpat• 10 Sep 2015 13:18
britexpat

"The draft does away with the exit permit system but the Advisory Council has recommended that expatriates leaving the country must inform their employers at least three days in advance" - Not really much difference then. The key aspect is that the employer must be aware of you leaving.

Anyway, It's good that all this is coming about. Once in place, hopefully we'll get over the constant questions

By knor• 10 Sep 2015 12:36
Rating: 3/5
knor

"What do you think of the changes?"

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