Council seeks re-entry ban of 5 years???????????

Pradeepnair
By Pradeepnair

THE Advisory Council yesterday recommended that expatriate workers leaving Qatar should not be allowed to return for five years from the date of their departure from the country, a step the council said would protect the interests of the sponsors.
“The change in the article would protect the rights of the first sponsor who bore the cost of bringing the worker to the country,” a member said.
“I think it would be a deterrent for expatriates tempted by better job offers within the country. They begin to create troubles for their sponsors once they find better chances,” the member said.
Whats Your Say on this????

mod note: already being discussed here: http://www.qatarliving.com/node/127755

By venkygoud• 9 Nov 2008 15:15
venkygoud

I think one year cooling time is more than enough, else they go for hefty fine similar to Dubai 5000 Rial. Anything beyond this I think is unreasonable. If they make it 2+ more years then companies will really exploit the expats. If no fine is there, then the employees will exploit the companies. They will jump from one company to another. By increasing the cooling time, Qatar will be a loser in either way as employees will find jobs in neighbouring countries like uae, bahrain, oman.

By qatarwasgood• 9 Nov 2008 14:42
qatarwasgood

Shame on the inability of the Qatari business owners who are active members of the consulting panel who have recommended 5 Years Ban on Re-entry.

If His Highness Sheikh Hamad probe the background of the panel members who proposed this idea, it will be made obvious that the entire drama is nothing but to benefit their ugly business.

I love Qatar as a nation. I quit my previous qatari employer a year back. Even though I did not try any other possibility of employment in Qatar, another reputed employer is still trying to employ me in vain.

Now after learning that some unintelligent panel members have recommended 5 years re-entry ban, I have just decided not to attend even any incoming telephone calls from Qatar.

Life in the rest of the world is so lovely compared to the deteriorating one in Qatar

No Qatari individual will be blamed in this world nor in the life after death except the Leader.

Wishing His Highness A Flawless Kingdom and Wiser Citizens.

Regards

By anonymous• 12 Jul 2008 14:41
anonymous

disgusting.

Why not they think of 10000000000 years of ban?

By yoj_qatar• 12 Jul 2008 14:29
yoj_qatar

Yeah they are making slavery so evident in this country. If you read on the labour laws it is all for the benefit of the sponsor.

We as expats don't have a say to whatever we are told. Our rights were written off. Too bad there is nothing we can do but leave and never come back. What will happen to this country if all the expats leave? Can you picture that in mind? Chaos....

By ulas.gurel• 26 Jun 2008 12:43
ulas.gurel

This advisor having a problem with his amployee :)This is nothing then a personel issue...

By ricky_2005• 26 Jun 2008 12:29
Rating: 4/5
ricky_2005

UAE V/s Qatar

UAE has almost removed the Ban rule or reentry rule now.

By paying AED 5000 you can waive off the entry ban .

Whereas Qatar seems to be going tangetial but making for hurdles and by taking a microscopic view .

The country should actually Remove the Entry Ban completely and allow workers to move wherever they want after completion of 3 years work with an X company .

This is what is meant by being truely free .

But they seem to be going REVERSE Gear because some people have wrong views -over shadowing all others also now .

By RS• 26 Jun 2008 11:33
RS

It would be a shameful act if this is done. No wonder Qatar has lost the bid for the 2016 games with people having such attitudes.

No where in the gulf does this system prevail. Rather I would suggest as in Dubai collect 500 - 1000 QR and officialise the transfer and get the MOI raking in money.

Secondly I think this is a ploy. As there are rumors to reduce it to 6 months maybe such pressure tactics could ensure that it remains at the current 2 years.

By Vori• 26 Jun 2008 10:51
Vori

Sounds like a personal dispute. ??? But then when you are individually financially impacted it is very personal now isn't it?

By engineerabuali• 26 Jun 2008 10:44
engineerabuali

They are the loosers and this is not the heaven. The good and experienced professional can find better chance in many other countries. They will suffer and change this way of thinking. Let them learn from other countries who know how to plan better.

By metronide• 26 Jun 2008 10:32
metronide

A post dated check on a crashing bank.....

A majority of foreign workers are now looking away from Qatar. Mainly due to the high cost of living and expat unfriendly rules and regulations including exit permit, sponsorship laws etc. Companies that are offering QR15-20k per month are now finding it difficult to get quality personnel, especially from countries such as India, which is witnessing an economic boom. The high exchange rate of the GBP and EUR has also deterred westerners from seeking jobs in Qatar, combined with the post 9-11 fears.

Qatar can ban the re-entry of expatriate workers for 5 years, but it would be interesting to know how they plan to cope up with the shortage of manpower that it will trigger AND what plans they have to promote the country among experienced and skilled professionals, as a destination for employers.

By doharaslaffan• 24 Jun 2008 14:33
doharaslaffan

The Qatar Advisory committee has simply gone mad, or it is a committee formed of some mad men in the country.

Without the expatriate community, one can just imagine where Qatar would have been Qatar today. It is STILL A VERY BIG ZERO in the world community without the expatriates. By just laing down the foundation stone for few universities, they think they have PURCHASED the knowledge of all the expatriates.

Advisors, are't you shamed in front of the world population to advise your government. We all expatriates can understand the lack of your education and knowledge. We expatriates can challenge you, how many of you Qataris could be an efficient employee, without the support of an expatriate. How many businesses in Qatar would run effectively without expartiate manpower. OR how many of you Qataris know how to manage a business which employ only Qataris (a business organisation in Qatar without any expatriate!!!!)

Come on Advisors, wakeup, can you imagine without the expatriate community, your dream projects in Raslaffan or Mesaieed will only be a nightmare. In the construction sites of Mesaieed and Raslaffan, I haven't seen even a single Qatari. Rather I have seen plenty of them relaxing in the comfort of an AC at Four Saesons or Ritz Carlton, but could never see them outside. You are habituated only to survive in comfort. And we expatriates will take advantage of it. Now we can say, you are at our footsteps. If you want anything in life, it is at the mercy of your expatriate employee in Qatar. This is really a challenging situatiuon for you. But you are helpless. To improve, to help yourself, you have to first come out of the comfort and start working with your hand in the hot sun at 49.8 degree Celicius (recorded yesterday in raslaffan), as what your parents and grand parents did say until 30-40 years ago. But before doing this, the Advisors will have to order the poor Nepalis to build an airconditioned shelter covering the entire land of Qatar. Now I don't feel shame on you, rather I feel pity on you.

A last word to the Qataris. Before ill treating any expatriate, remember that he is your service provider (paid). They are here to provide you with comfort. All the comforts you enjoy toay are provided by these expatriates ofcourse at a very nominal fee, which is paid as salary to the expatriate.

By vichu• 24 Jun 2008 13:25
vichu

it is simply ridiculus...never considering the contribution of expatriates for the development of this country..no body leaves an organisation unless and until there is a illtreatment from the side of company..this law should be implemnted with amendements,such as an employ terminated from service due to some criminal or monetary offence can be trialed under this law...

HOPE QATAR GOVT WILL CONSIDER THE FEELINGS AND RIGHTS OF EXPATRIATES..

By janeyjaney• 24 Jun 2008 13:18
janeyjaney

Do they actually want to progress? 2 years is a long time, what more 5 years?

I just don't think Qatar is moving forward if and when they think of implementing such labor law.

Qatar in itself is not a country where tourists just travel and experience the whole lot of it but it's mainly made up of expats. Their expats help contribute to their booming economy and they want to tighten the grip on the expats with this?

Shame.

By robertsky09• 24 Jun 2008 12:23
robertsky09

tHE Recommendation are totally crap!!!they just protecting only the employers/owners ever, its a deprivation of workers rights!!!!crap!crap!crap!

By crazynoddy• 24 Jun 2008 12:12
crazynoddy

I don't think its going to be healthier decision and the state will face tremendous brain drain in the recent future. this law would make the country a house without ventillation.

Qatari national economy is booming in an indescribable pace however a new law like this can create major damages in all levels. people leave everything behind and come to work in this state due to many reasons like family, career prospects, financial stability, etc. etc. and its normal to find people looking for better oppurtunities or investment plans. i know there are many in this state are willing to invest if they get release without any ban!! may be you loose one today but tomorrow you will find many others with better thoutghts and ideas.

when other states in the GCC have flexible rules and regulations then why are we trying to make it complicated? this strategy will never bring an innovative work force into the state. loads to say... no time.

lets hope to have a favourable decision from the government.

By mohd_subhan• 24 Jun 2008 11:43
mohd_subhan

Good News...

By spanky1423• 24 Jun 2008 11:30
spanky1423

just the same...2 years and 5 years has same thing in common...of course no one from us will let ourselves to be non profitable for even a year...so why wait for more than a year...,there is a lot of opportunities in other land...all we need to do is find a way how we can get there....so even they put ban for 500years...the point is i will never wait even 6 months just to be back here...right after i left this place..,i will ensure better opportunity in other place...ban is useless...this will never protect the businesses they are running...treat every employee in fair and equal manner then they will have good result for their business....that is hundred percent sure...

By Maaya• 24 Jun 2008 11:25
Rating: 4/5
Maaya

Qatar is on a transition phase, booming.. and require real good support of manpower and got to be copetive and flexible than dubai, or man or any other GCC..

Or people will prefer a felexible country wher they can grow..

Two years minimum on one contract before changes is a fairdeal .. this is unfair.

Looser is the country .. a Talended professional will move out since he wont get a better prospect in Qatar.

By anonymous• 24 Jun 2008 11:11
anonymous

As an ex-pat I don't think this is a wise move. Ignoring any issues about what's best for the employees, I just don't think that this will benefit the country.

The lawmakers are trying to pass a law that will benefit lazy employers who don't want to offer competitive salaries, good working conditions, and future career growth. The lawmakers have decided that rather than doing what will benefit the whole of Qatar and its economy, they would rather do what makes life easier for a handful of prominent employers.

They are free to do as they wish, however in the end it will be the country that suffers.

* Talented staff who can get a better salary will leave the country, taking with them their skills and experience, leaving behind, by definition, less skilled and lower value workers.

* Working conditions will suffer because employers will have no incentive to maintain a contented workforce, since they know their staff will leave.

* Employers won't feel compelled to offer professional advancement and growth opportunities to staff, again because they know that they can't leave and take better jobs in Qatar.

These and other factors will without doubt mean that disatisfied employees won't just leave their employer, but will leave Qatar, and the country will remain stuck in the past while progressive economies like Dubai (where there is no labour ban like this) will continue to prosper and flourish.

Yet another reasonwhy foreign bodies, like the IOC, believe that this country is rooted in the past and unable to move into the modern age. Give me another example of a successful, modern, prosperous economy where expatriates are treated like this?

By AbuSaif• 24 Jun 2008 11:04
AbuSaif

It is the desire of the local business men and a recommendation to or from Advisory council. Still to be seen if implemented...and this could be the rule of the LAND later...likewise we have the choices too.... World is so big....

Though it is easier said than done....lets hope for the best for ALL

By Qatar Idols• 24 Jun 2008 10:52
Rating: 2/5
Qatar Idols

we have the reasons why we agree with such things and as an expatriates, i came here because of my purpose. to work and sustain my personal & family needs. there is no reason of leaving in the present company if he/she meet his needs. in most cases, still its happening here in Qatar that employer abused their employees specifically in timings or i should say working hours/schedules. 80% of the employers here requires 10hrs of work per day and as per the labor law stated, its only be 8hrs per day and OT (over time) will depends on the requirements of the company. i want to include also the accomodation. not all employer provides good accomodation to all employees. try to make a survery to witness especially the staff/crews/laborers. now, employees has no choice but to finish their contract and their next step is to look for another employer that can sustain their basic needs. good salary package, housing accomodation and transportation. if the state will stardardized all of the requirements, i'm sure employees will prefer to stay here in Doha, prefer to stay with their present employers/company.

By HappyVillager• 24 Jun 2008 10:41
HappyVillager

This is considerably unfair and they will only protect the sponsors/employers not the employees!

By thifanny_16• 24 Jun 2008 10:23
thifanny_16

i think it is unfair.. 2 years is a long wait what more if 5 years..right? and besides why cant they just allow expats/workers to choose and look for a better future..most expats came here to work for their families.. one thing, if one worker has a good empployer then i dont see any reason for such exapt to look for a better employer if he's given the right salary and right benefits..

By donald_duc168• 24 Jun 2008 10:04
donald_duc168

This is their right, however it is like saying that you live and die with your present employer and it's like you dont have the right for a better future but bitter future instead.

By consciouseffort• 24 Jun 2008 09:57
consciouseffort

Everybody has the right to choose a better future for him/herself. This would be yet another blow to expat communities in Qatar.

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