Tribune News Network
Doha
In a major step forward in its labour reform programme, Qatar on Sunday introduced a non-discriminatory minimum wage for workers and removed the No-Objection Certificate (NoC) requirement to change jobs for employees.
The Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs (MADLSA) has set the monthly minimum wage at QR1,000, becoming the first country in the region to adopt a non-discriminatory minimum wage policy.
The move is part of Qatar’s efforts to protect the interests of employers and employees alike.
The new minimum wage, which will apply to all private sector workers of all nationalities, including domestic workers, will come into force six months after the law’s publication in the Official Gazette.
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, has been set at QR1,000 per month as a basic wage, besides QR500 per month allocated by the employer for accommodation and QR300 per month for food, unless the employer already provides adequate food or accommodation for the employee or domestic worker.
MADLSA will be working with employers to update all employment contracts where workers earn less than the amount established by the new law. The law will provide additional stability to Qatar’s labour market.
The minimum wage was decided following extensive consultations with a specialised national committee composed of relevant authorities to consider the matter.
In light of the above, a Minimum Wage Committee will be formed and tasked with frequently studying and reviewing the minimum wage of workers and domestic workers.
The government also introduced Decree Law No 18 of 2020 amending some provisions of Labour Law No 14 of 2004 and Decree Law No 19 of 2020 amending some provisions of 2004 Law No 21 of 2015 regulating the entry and exit of expatriates and their residence, which protects the rights of both employers and employees and facilitates the process of changing jobs.
This will drive greater competition in Qatar’s labour market by allowing employees to change employers and allowing employers to attract the best talent in the local market.
"As part of our efforts to boost the effectiveness of the Wage Protection System, the new amendments to the Labour Law prescribe stricter penalties for employers who fail to pay their workers’ wages and introduce penalties for employers who fail to provide adequate accommodation for their workers, in line with the standards established by the ministry,” MADLSA said.
The new amendments also include increasing the number of labour dispute resolution committees in an effort to tackle the number of labour disputes, facilitate workers’ access to the rights, and expedite legal proceedings.
Yousuf Mohamed Al Othman Fakhroo, Minister of Administrative Development, Labour & Social Affairs, said, "Qatar is committed to creating a modern and dynamic labour market. In line with Qatar Vision 2030, these new laws mark a major milestone in this journey and will benefit workers, employers, and the nation alike.”
"Attracting the desired combination of migrant workers, protecting their rights, and ensuring their safety is part of the human development goals of Qatar’s 2030 National Vision. With today’s announcement, Qatar delivers on its promise to expand the labour market in a manner that drives competition, boosts investment in the local economy, and drives economic growth in Qatar.”
He said to ensure compliance with the changes, MADLSA is working with competent authorities to upgrade the Wage Protection System, strengthen the capacity of inspectors, and apply stricter penalties to companies that violate the law.
Doha
In a major step forward in its labour reform programme, Qatar on Sunday introduced a non-discriminatory minimum wage for workers and removed the No-Objection Certificate (NoC) requirement to change jobs for employees.
The Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs (MADLSA) has set the monthly minimum wage at QR1,000, becoming the first country in the region to adopt a non-discriminatory minimum wage policy.
The move is part of Qatar’s efforts to protect the interests of employers and employees alike.
The new minimum wage, which will apply to all private sector workers of all nationalities, including domestic workers, will come into force six months after the law’s publication in the Official Gazette.
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, has been set at QR1,000 per month as a basic wage, besides QR500 per month allocated by the employer for accommodation and QR300 per month for food, unless the employer already provides adequate food or accommodation for the employee or domestic worker.
MADLSA will be working with employers to update all employment contracts where workers earn less than the amount established by the new law. The law will provide additional stability to Qatar’s labour market.
The minimum wage was decided following extensive consultations with a specialised national committee composed of relevant authorities to consider the matter.
In light of the above, a Minimum Wage Committee will be formed and tasked with frequently studying and reviewing the minimum wage of workers and domestic workers.
The government also introduced Decree Law No 18 of 2020 amending some provisions of Labour Law No 14 of 2004 and Decree Law No 19 of 2020 amending some provisions of 2004 Law No 21 of 2015 regulating the entry and exit of expatriates and their residence, which protects the rights of both employers and employees and facilitates the process of changing jobs.
This will drive greater competition in Qatar’s labour market by allowing employees to change employers and allowing employers to attract the best talent in the local market.
"As part of our efforts to boost the effectiveness of the Wage Protection System, the new amendments to the Labour Law prescribe stricter penalties for employers who fail to pay their workers’ wages and introduce penalties for employers who fail to provide adequate accommodation for their workers, in line with the standards established by the ministry,” MADLSA said.
The new amendments also include increasing the number of labour dispute resolution committees in an effort to tackle the number of labour disputes, facilitate workers’ access to the rights, and expedite legal proceedings.
Yousuf Mohamed Al Othman Fakhroo, Minister of Administrative Development, Labour & Social Affairs, said, "Qatar is committed to creating a modern and dynamic labour market. In line with Qatar Vision 2030, these new laws mark a major milestone in this journey and will benefit workers, employers, and the nation alike.”
"Attracting the desired combination of migrant workers, protecting their rights, and ensuring their safety is part of the human development goals of Qatar’s 2030 National Vision. With today’s announcement, Qatar delivers on its promise to expand the labour market in a manner that drives competition, boosts investment in the local economy, and drives economic growth in Qatar.”
He said to ensure compliance with the changes, MADLSA is working with competent authorities to upgrade the Wage Protection System, strengthen the capacity of inspectors, and apply stricter penalties to companies that violate the law.