Whether you are exploring career opportunities in Qatar or already working here, you must be aware of your rights and duties as an employee.
Here are some essential points compiled from the Qatar Labour Law, Ministry of Interior directives and tips from HR professionals:
1. Before signing an employment contract
Make sure you’ve understood it completely. Contracts submitted to the labour ministry are bi-lingual. Ensure you’ve checked both parts of it. According to the Qatar Labour Law, the following articles must be clearly specified on a contract:
- Name of employer, place of work
- Name, qualifications, nationality, profession and residence of the worker and the proof necessary for his identification
- Date of conclusion of the contract
- Nature and type of work and place of contracting
- Date of commencement of work
- Period of the contract if it is of a definite duration
- The agreed wage and the method and date of the payment
It’s the employer’s responsibility to take care of your visa expenses.
In addition, also read through and clarify any additional clauses that the employer may have added to the contract.
Now would be a good time, before signing the employment contract, to request for a clause that would allow you to change sponsors in future. But, be aware that not all companies have this policy.
2. Overtime dues
The Qatar Labour Law specifies that if an employer requires workers to work above the regular working hours per day, then this should not exceed 10 hours unless the work is necessary to prevent gross loss or dangerous accident or for repair/alleviation of the consequences of said loss/accident.
The compensation should not be less than the basic wage plus not less than 25% thereof.
3. Mandatory benefits
An employer is required to provide the following benefits to an employee: basic salary, accommodation or accommodation allowance, annual round-trip ticket to home country, transportation allowance and the following leaves:
Annual leave: After one continuous year in service you are entitled to an annual paid leave period of:
- At least three weeks if his service is less than five years
- At least four weeks, if his service is more than five years
Sick leave: You are also entitled to paid sick leave. This can be availed only after completing three months in service, and a medical certificate needs to be submitted. You are due full wage if the sick leave does not exceed two weeks.
Others: Apart from annual leave, these are other vacation days due to you:
- 3 working days each for Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha
- 1 working day for the Independence Day.
- 1 working day for National Sports Day.
- 3 working days as specified by the employer.
Pilgrimage leave: Muslim employees are entitled to a pilgrimage leave without pay for a maximum of two weeks once during the period of employment.
4. Gender equality
Male and female employees are required to be treated fairly and equally. There must be no discrimination in terms of their responsibilities at work or the benefits they receive. The only exceptions to this are the following benefits that are specified by law to women:
- Maternity leave: Female employees can avail of this after the completion of one year of service. This maternity leave is for 50 days on full pay. It should include the period before and after the delivery provided that the period following the delivery shall not be less than 35 days.
- Nursing period: In the year following her delivery, female employees can take an additional hour-long break during the day to nurse children. This will be included in the working hours and no wages should be deducted for this.
- Female employees should also not be terminated from employment due to marriage or pregnancy. Though Qatar Airways was found violating this, according to recent reports.
...[ Continue to next page ]
Tag: Qatar Legal