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Labour

Labour Rights in Qatar

The State of Qatar leads the region on labour rights and has taken extensive action to ensure protection for all workers.

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ accelerated change in Qatar, driving forward an ambitious labour reform agenda with the support of its international partners.

Qatar works closely with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) as well as partner countries like the UK, US, Australia, Sweden, the Netherlands and Switzerland to enhance cooperation across many areas related to labour and labour reform.

Reforms


Qatar is implementing labour reforms that are genuine, long-lasting and the product of years of careful planning and consultation with international partners. Current laws include:

May 2021

Strict limitations on summer working

The law prohibits work in outdoor workspaces between 10:00 to 15:30 from 1 June to 15 September. The measures also call for monitoring and recording levels of climatic conditions in the workplace and stopping work in places where the temperature exceeds 32.1 degrees on the Web Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) Index. Summer working hours have been strictly implemented and enforced through regular workplace inspections, and failure to comply results in the partial or full closure of worksites.

 

March 2021

Introducing minimum wage at QAR 1,000

The non-discriminatory minimum wage of QAR 1,000 per month came into effect in March 2021 and applies to all workers across all sectors in Qatar. It is the first law of its kind in the region.

 

September 2020

Facilitating employees switching between jobs

Qatar removed the No-Objection Certificate requirement, allowing workers in Qatar to terminate their contract once they have provided 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.

 

2018-2020

Full removal of exit permits for expatriates

Exit permits were removed in 2018 and expanded to include all workers in 2020. The law states that expatriates have the right to leave the country temporarily, or to depart from the country permanently during the validity of the labour contract without first obtaining permission from their employers.

 

December 2016

Prohibition on passport confiscation

Qatar has implemented strict measures to prevent passport confiscation by employers, including fines of up to QAR 25,000.