Qatar National Library (QNL

The complex provides the services of six ministries and government entities, namely: Labor; Justice; Commerce and Industry; Foreign Affairs; Education and Higher Education; and Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa).

The Qatar Labour Law – Kafala

The relationship between an employer and employee is regulated by the Qatar Labour Law. A copy of this can be downloaded via Hukoomi or read on qatarlaborlaw.com/qatar-labor-law, qatarlaborlaw.com/amendments Since 2018, Qatar has been taking major steps to reform its labour laws, and ease restrictions of the Kafala or employee sponsorship system, including abolishing exit permits, removing the no-objection certificate (NOC) requirement, introducing a minimum wage and more. Sponsorship: All expatriate workers in Qatar require sponsorship to work in the country. Minimum Wage: According to Law No 17 of 2020 on Setting the Minimum Wage for Workers and Domestic Workers, the minimum wage for all private sector workers, including domestic workers, is set at QAR1,000 per month as a basic wage, as well as QAR500 per month allocated by the employer for accommodation expenses and QAR300 per month for food, unless the employer already provides adequate food or accommodation for the employee or domestic worker. The new law came into effect in March 2021. Working hours: A 48-hour week is the maximum allowed under Qatar Labour Law without overtime pay. Government offices and many private companies have a two-day weekend on Friday and Saturday, although a one-day holiday on Friday is still common in the private sector. Hours of business: Government offices tend to work a single shift 7 am – 2 pm; private companies may work a single shift or split morning/late afternoon shifts with longer hours. Contract: Three copies of the employment contract should be signed by both parties. The employer and employee each retain a copy, the third copy is kept at the Ministry of Labor C4 after verifying it. It is illegal for sponsors to keep their employees' passport and travel documents after the visa formalities are over. Sponsor fine: not less than QAR10,000. End of service benefits: Employees completing a period of continuous service for more than one year are entitled to an end of service benefit on the termination or expiry of the contract of employment. This is mandatory in the current labour law, effective from January 2005. Migrant workers can now change jobs before the end of their contract subject to a notice period. The adoption of Law No 19 of 2020 provides greater clarity regarding termination of employment. To terminate an employment contract and change jobs, workers must provide at least one month’s written notice if they have worked with the employer for two years or less, or two months’ notice if they have worked with the employer for over two years. Ministry of Labor (formerly Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs): C Ring Road D4 including a Women's Section. There is also an office on Street 13/ Al Kasarat Street in the Industrial Area (see map in the Motoring section). 4028 8888 Workplace Disputes The Amir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued Law No 13 of 2017 amending some provisions of the Labour Law, and forming the Labour Dispute Resolution Committee. All labour disputes are received through the Ministry of Labor to resolve disputes. The maximum period for reviewing the disputes before the committee is one month, including the time for any potential appeal. Labour Relations Department: File your complaint within one year of the event with the section for workers’ rights and grievances. 4028 8888 Ministry of Labor: Formerly Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs (MADLSA), has its own dedicated 24-hour confidential hotline number for its own employees who have employment grievances. 16008, adlsa.gov.qa National Human Rights Committee in Qatar: Protects and consolidates human rights of all, subject to the jurisdiction of Qatar. Hotline 800 2222, SMS number 119, nhrc-qa.org

Register at your Embassy

All nationals working or residing in Qatar are advised to contact their country’s embassy to register or subscribe to its services. See Foreign Embassies in the Discovering Qatar section for contact details.