Qatar announces new labour reforms for expatriates

Doha: Qatar has announced that with immediate effect, exit permits will be removed for expatriates who are not currently subject to Qatar’s Labour Law. Qatar continues to strengthen its laws, ensuring policies are aligned with international labour standards.

The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, issued Ministerial Decision No 95 of 2019, amending exit procedures and removing exit permits with immediate effect for expatriates who are not subject to Qatar’s Labour Law, Government Communications Office tweeted.

Under the new decision, expatriates employed in the following categories are free to leave Qatar either temporarily or permanently during their employment contract: 

1) Ministries and other government entities and public institutions
2) Oil and gas companies
3) Maritime Companies
4) Agricultural companies
5) All other types of temporary work

The new decision does not apply to members of the Qatari Armed Forces.

Employers have the right to identify a maximum of five percent of their workforce whose exit from Qatar will continue to require prior approval due to their high level of responsibility.

” All residents have the right to leave the country without an exit permit,” Mohammed Hassan al-Obaidly, Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs in the Ministry of Administrative Development said.

“The new legislation encourages opening of new labor markets in new countries and also helps business owners to bring in skilled workers from new countries,” he added

Under the new decision, domestic workers subject to Law No 15 of 2017 are also free to leave the country either temporarily or permanently during their employment contract.

To guarantee the rights of both employers and domestic workers, all domestic workers should notify their employer atleast 72 hours prior to their departure.

“The Ministry of Interior, in coordination with the Ministry of Administrative Development and Labor, proceeded with introducing a law that allows domestic workers to leave the country provided that the worker informs the employer 72 hours before departure. The worker is required to report so that the employer can grant permission to leave and be aware of the departure,” Brigadier Mohammed Ahmed Al Ateeq, Director General of Passports, said.

“If a domestic worker leaves the country without informing the employer, the worker will be deprived of any financial settlements, tickets and also will be denied returning to work for another employer till the completion of the legal period of 4 years,” he added.