Qatar NEW LABOR LAW and Working CONTRACTS

There is no need for the companies to make new contracts with their employees after implementation of the new law but the existing contracts will be valid as long as the employee is willing to continue in his job.

Work Contract for New Expats:

A foreign worker who has got a new contract to work in Qatar can come back even the next day, provided he has met the other requirements like visa.

Worker who terminate or resign before completion of the contract period:

Workers who terminate their job contracts and leave the country before completion of the contract period are not allowed to return to the country before the end of the contract period.

E.g. 1:

Limited contract: 

Worker contract term is 2 years. After 10 months compilation, if he/she terminate the contract and leave the country. He/she will be ban for next 14 months.

E.g. 2:

Open or Unlimited Contract. 

Worker contract term is unlimited (5 years). After 3 years compilation, if he/she terminate the contract and leave the country. He/she will be ban for next 2 years.

Worker who completed the contract period:

Those who complete their contracts under the law can come back to Qatar next day of their departure if he/she found new job offers. Workers who complete their contracts can easily come back without facing any ban.

Only law changes will be apply your current contract. Contract term will be same. There is no need for the companies to make new contracts with their current employees after implementation of the new law but the existing contracts will be valid as long as the employee is willing to continue in his job.

(Note: Don’t sign the new contract, if you sign your contract term will be changed)

What about the starting date of contract term for existing employees?

Date he has signed the fresh (initial) employment contract will be the date from his contract would be counted. Existing employees no need sign new contract after implementation of the new law.

What will happen the employees who resigned/terminated and left the country?

Those who leave the country before completion of the contract not allowed return to the country before the end of the contract period. (As per reports – Not yet confirmed)

What will happen to BANNED/BLACKLISTED Expats?

There is no report from Qatar Government about workers who BANNED and BLACKLISTED to enter Qatar.

How to terminate ABUSIVE employer’s contract?

If your employer violating the labor rules, you need to complaint in Qatar Labor. If it’s proved Qatar labor authorities will take necessary action.

Who is BANNED for 4 years to enter Qatar?

If a foreign worker is fired/terminated as a punitive measure and he did not appeal his dismissal or his plea was rejected by a court, he shall not be permitted to come back to Qatar before the passage of four years.

Limited contracts: 2 years valid.

Open-ended contracts: 5 years valid.

9 important things you need to know about new Labour Law

1. Contract based Employment: All expats in Qatar would now be entirely governed by contracts

2. Ban period under termination: Workers who terminate their job contracts and leave the country before completion of the contract period are not allowed to return to the country before the end of the contract period.

Worker who has a four years contract and he completed three years with the current sponsor and left without completing one more year cannot come back until next one year till his earlier contract period is over.

3. No Ban under completion of contract: Those who complete their contracts under the law can come back to Qatar next day of their departure if he/she found new job offers. Workers who complete their contracts can easily come back without facing any ban.

4. No new contracts to be signed: There is no need for the companies to make new contracts with their employees after implementation of the new law but the existing contracts will be valid as long as the employee is willing to continue in his job.

5. Contract period: Date he has signed the fresh employment contract will be the date from his contract would be counted.

All types of contracts will start from the date of enforcement of the new law regardless of how many years the employee had served in the company but this does not mean the previous years of service are not counted.

6. Domestic helps/Kadamas: Law will apply to domestic help as well.

7. Signing contracts: If the employer has agreed to hire the worker and processed his/her entry visa for work, the worker can sign the contract after arriving in Qatar. However, in case he refuses to sign the contract, he would be forced to go home,

8. Five years maximum term: The work contract needs to be certified by the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs and the maximum period for work contract is five years.

9. Four years ban: If a foreign worker is fired as a punitive measure and he did not appeal his dismissal or his plea was rejected by a court, he shall not be permitted to come back to Qatar before the passage of four years, states Article 26 of the new law.