Well I agree that we are guests here and know the deal when we sign up:
It can't be good for the country to cycle thru so quickly. It takes time to 'learn' Qatar, to figure it out, get accustomed to it, and do our best work. There is value in knowing how to get things done and having contacts- something that takes time to build up.
And that is lost as soon as you want to switch jobs. For example, my own situation. I came over for a job, worked hard, advanced. But I reached the end of where I could go with the company, and was unhappy how they treated myself and other workers (namely being promoted but never given a raise to what the person I replaced had made- why would they? They had me under contract at a certain rate). BUT, becaue I'd signed up for a set-term, I finished it. I found, hired, and trained my replacement. I gave four months notice I wouldnt' be renewing. For my trouble, I was given a glowing letter of reference. . . but no NOC.
My point: go ahead and keep the sponsorship system, even though it it flawed- it's your country, do what you please. however, why not put in place a law that says IF an employee is satisfactory, IF the employee fulfills their contract and gives proper notice, they MUST be given that NOC? I ended up missing out on a dream job because I can't have an RP in Qatar for two years; I now work int he UAE and come back and forth- I found a way to use my experience and stay in Qatar, in a fashion, but many can't. Wouldn't it be better to KEEP the people who know the country? Wouldn't it be for the benefit of the country?
My way of thinking, the NOC and sponsorship system just does nothing but create a load of expats who leave with a bad taste in their mouth. It gives no incentive for the employer to reward hard work or retain employees- and without having to work to retain good employees, abuses happen. I get wanting control over visiting workers, but leaving all the humanity and compassion at the 'discretion' of employers is bringing out the WORST in a country that is not actually that bad.
Well I agree that we are guests here and know the deal when we sign up:
It can't be good for the country to cycle thru so quickly. It takes time to 'learn' Qatar, to figure it out, get accustomed to it, and do our best work. There is value in knowing how to get things done and having contacts- something that takes time to build up.
And that is lost as soon as you want to switch jobs. For example, my own situation. I came over for a job, worked hard, advanced. But I reached the end of where I could go with the company, and was unhappy how they treated myself and other workers (namely being promoted but never given a raise to what the person I replaced had made- why would they? They had me under contract at a certain rate). BUT, becaue I'd signed up for a set-term, I finished it. I found, hired, and trained my replacement. I gave four months notice I wouldnt' be renewing. For my trouble, I was given a glowing letter of reference. . . but no NOC.
My point: go ahead and keep the sponsorship system, even though it it flawed- it's your country, do what you please. however, why not put in place a law that says IF an employee is satisfactory, IF the employee fulfills their contract and gives proper notice, they MUST be given that NOC? I ended up missing out on a dream job because I can't have an RP in Qatar for two years; I now work int he UAE and come back and forth- I found a way to use my experience and stay in Qatar, in a fashion, but many can't. Wouldn't it be better to KEEP the people who know the country? Wouldn't it be for the benefit of the country?
My way of thinking, the NOC and sponsorship system just does nothing but create a load of expats who leave with a bad taste in their mouth. It gives no incentive for the employer to reward hard work or retain employees- and without having to work to retain good employees, abuses happen. I get wanting control over visiting workers, but leaving all the humanity and compassion at the 'discretion' of employers is bringing out the WORST in a country that is not actually that bad.