Qatari Government to Introduce New Labor Legislation

The Qatari Government announced on Monday that it will organize a series of workshops to make known the anticipated changes in labor legislation, which will come into effect in December, aiming to "increase transparency" and improve the situation of workers.

"The organization of these workshops represents another concrete commitment in the reform of the Qatari labor system. This work is vital to raise awareness among employers about Qatari labor legislation," said Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Issa al Nuaimi in a statement.

The Qatari government expressed its willingness to introduce changes to the legislation at the beginning of the year after NGOs such as Amnesty International raised concerns about the labor exploitation of immigrants in World Cup 2022 construction sites.

Among the reforms planned in the new law is the establishment of a new system for the approval or denial of exit permits from the country.

In addition, foreign workers who have finished their employment contracts will no longer need their employer's permission to change jobs.

In Qatar, as in most of the Gulf countries, a labor system known as "kafala" is in force, whereby the employer retains the worker's passport, which has often resulted in abuses and exploitation.

In addition, workers need an exit visa approved by their employer in order to leave the country.

In the small emirate, around two million foreigners, representing approximately 90 percent of the population in the Qatari state, are subjected to the kafala system.

The awareness campaign will begin with a series of workshops aimed at the major stakeholders, including members of the Qatar Chamber, worker representatives in the embassies in Qatar, heads of foreign communities, labor managers, and representatives of private companies and institutions.

"The significant changes in labor legislation, which will come into effect in December, will require that employers, embassies, the Qatar Chamber, and other official entities understand how to comply with the new legal framework surrounding the new law. Workers must also be aware of their rights and obligations," stated Al Nuaimi.

The reforms will allow foreign salaried workers who wish to leave the country to request an exit permit up to 72 hours in advance from the Ministry of Interior.

If such authorization is initially denied, workers will be able to lodge complaints with a committee established under the new law.

The number of foreign workers, mostly from India, Bangladesh, or Pakistan, working on large infrastructure projects directly or indirectly related to the FIFA World Cup 2022, is expected to reach two and a half million by 2020.