Ministry of Labour

Manual of Expatriate Employees in the State of Qatar

Contents:
Topics
Introduction Part One: Basic facts about the State of Qatar Part Two: Work Permit Part Three: Work Contract Part Four: Work Hours, Holidays & Accommodation Part Five: Contract Expiry Part Six: General Directions Part Seven: List of Labour Offices Part Eight: Important Telephone Numbers
Page Numbers

5 6 10 11 12 15 18 20 21

Introduction:
Ministry of Labour in the State of Qatar welcomes and wishes successful work stay and return to their homeland, for all those who arrive to Qatar- their second homeland- for work for specific term, after realization of their aspirations. In order to provide better and dignified life for all expatriates who come to work in the State of Qatar, the Government issued the Labour Law No (14)for the Year 2004, which came in to force from the beginning of the year 2005. In doing so the government was very keen to match the rules of the law with the standards adopted by the International Labour Organization ILO. Hence, any employee who arrives in Qatar shall be aware of conditions of his work, his rights and his duties towards the employer. Therefore, The Ministry of Labour issued this manual to be a reference for all employees. It is in on way claims to be an alternative of the Labour Law and the executing decisions thereto. With best wishes of the Ministry of Labour, for all expatriates to spend a successful work term in the State of Qatar. 

Part One: Basic facts about the Sate of Qatar

Location: Qatar is a peninsula located halfway down the west coast of the Arabian Gulf. Its territory comprises a number of islands including Halul, Sheraouh, Al-Asehat and others. Land Area: The total land area of Qatar is approximately 11,437 square kilometers. Population: The population of Qatar amounts to 1,553,729 inhabitants as per estimation of Qatar Census Authority for the year 2008. Capital City: Doha. Official Language: Arabic is the official language in Qatar. Religion: Islam is the official religion of the country, and the Shariah (Islamic code of Law) is a main source of its legislations.

Climate: Qatar has a moderate desert climate with long hot summer and short mild winter and little rain. Major Towns: Doha, Al-Rayyan, Al Wakrah, Al Khor, Dukhan, Al Shamal, Mesaieed, Ras Lafan and others. Currency: The official currency is the Qatari Riyal (QR), which is divided into 100 dirhams. The Exchange parity has been set at the fixed rate of US $ = 3.65QRs. Public Holidays: - National Day: 18th of December. - 3 days on Eid Al-Fitr Holiday: Starts from the 28th of Ramadan until the 4th of Shawal. - 3 day on Eid Al- Adha Holiday: starts at 9th of Zulhijjah until the 13th of Zulhijjah . National flag: The national flag is in maroon colour with a broad vertical white stripe at the pole, the two colours being separated with a nine-point serrated line.

Work Hours: - Government offices: 7 am to 2 pm. - Friday and Saturday are the weekend holidays for government offices. Local Time: 3 hours + Greenwich Mean Time. Electrical Current: 240 Volts + 6% with frequency 50 hertz. Important Tourist Sites: First: Museums - Qatar National Museum Second: Castles: - Zubara Castle - Doha Castle (AL-Kout) - Um Salal Mohamed Castle Third: Gardens: -Al-Bidaa Garden - Doha Zoo. Fourth: Beaches: -Al-Gharia Coast Resort

- Islamic Art Museum.

- Al-Wajba Castle - Barzan Castle.

- Aspire Zone Garden

- Salain Coast Resort

Markets & Commercial Centers: -Traditional Souqs (markets): - Souq Waqif: Located in the center of Doha and distinguished with its situation in markets area and its nearness to Doha Corniche. It best represents the Qatari traditions. Modern Markets: The important posh commercial complexes include: City Center, Mall. Land mark, Hyatt Plaza, Royal Plaza, AlSalam Plaza, Blue Salon, Lulu Center, Center Point, Villago Shopping Center and others. Fourth: Hotels & Social Clubs: First: Hotels 1- Sheraton Doha Hotel and Resort 2- Ritz Carlton Hotel 3- Mariot Doha Hotel 4- Intercontinental Hotel 5- Four Seasons Hotel Doha 6- Sharq Village & Spa Hotel & resort 7- Ramada Doha Plaza Hotel 8- Movenpick Doha Hotel 9- Grand Hyatt Hotel 10- Ridges Plaza Doha Hotel 11- Grand Regency Hotel 12- Movenpick Tower Suite Hotel 13- Millennium Hotel 14- Mercure Grand Hotel 15- Al-Bustan Hotel 16- AL-Sulatan Resort Hotel

Second: Social Clubs: - Al-Dana Club - Doha Golf Club.

- Diplomatic Club.

Part Two: Work Permit:

Each employee in the State of Qatar must obtain a work permit, following the bellow steps: 1- Must enter the country by legal way. 2- Must obtain a residency permit from the Ministry of Interior. 3- Must issue an ID cards from the Department of Passports. 4- Must be medically fit and free of diseases. 5- Attestation of work contract by the concerned department at the Ministry of Labour. 6- The validity of the work permit is tied to the validity of residency permit and should not exceed five years, except by the approval of the concerned department.

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Part Three: Work Contract:

1- Work contract is an agreement entered into by the employee and the employer, for definite or indefinite period, whereby the employee undertakes to perform a certain work for the employer, under his administration and supervision, against payment of reward. The contract must contain the terms and condition mutually agreed upon. 2- Prior to arrival to the State of Qatar the employee must obtain a written work contract signed by him and the employer with whom he will work. The contract may be written in others languages besides the Arabic language. Arabic version must prevail over other versions. 3- The employee must ensure receiving a copy of the contract attested by the concerned department at the Ministry of Labour. He must keep his copy of the contract throughout of the period of his work in the State of Qatar. 4- The work contract must specifically indicate the date of its conclusion, date of commencement of work, place of work, tenure of the contract in case of definite contracts, the amount of the wage and allowances paid and the designation of the post of the employee. 5- The employee may undergo probation (test) for a period not exceeding six months from the date of work commencement. The employee must not undergo probation period more than one time during his work with the same employer. If the work contact was for determined period, such period should not exceed five years. The contract period may be renewed for a similar period(s) by mutual consent of the two

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parties. In case the contract was not renewed but the both parties continued to execute it, after its expiry, the contract is considered renewed for indefinite period, unless the contract provides otherwise.

Part Four: Work Hours, Holidays & Accommodation:

First: Work Hours: 1- Maximum normal work hours shall be Forty Eight hours per week, at rate of eight hours daily in all months of the years, except during the month of Ramadan, when the normal working hours shall be for thirty six hours per week, at the rate of six hours per day. 2- The work hours must have a break or breaks not less than one hour and not exceeding three hours, for prayers, rest and meal taking. Break hours are not counted as part of work hours. The above work hours are not applicable in the following categories: - An employee carrying out complementary and preparatory work, which needs to be carried out either prior commencement or post completion of the works. - Cleaning and guard employees. - Other categories of employees will be specified by the Minister. In such works the maximum work hours shall be defined, by a decision by the Minister.

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3- Employees may be asked to work for extra work hours, in addition to the actual work hours per day, in such case the work hours should not exceed ten hours, unless the continuity of work was a necessity matter, to prevent occurrence of great loss or dangerous accident. 4- The employer must pay the employees bonus for the extra work hours, not lesser rate of the basic due wage for the normal work hours plus bonus not less than 25% of the normal wage. 5- Employees who work after nine oclock in the evening up to three oclock in the morning shall be paid the basic wage due to them for the normal work hours plus bonus of not less than 50% of the normal wages, with exception to the cases of the employees who work in shifts. 6- The employee must be granted a paid weekly rest not less than continuous twenty four hours in addition to the normal weekly holiday on Fridays except for the shift employees. 7- In case of work exigencies, which may necessitate asking the employee to work on the weekly rest day, he may be compensated by another rest day and shall be paid for the work on a holiday, with same rate of payment on normal holidays, or paid the due basic wage plus a bonus equal to at least 150%. Such provision is not applicable in case of those who hold key posts, if the powers of those who hold such posts were equal to the powers of the employers. The employer must put a timetables at the main entrances used by the employees and in a clear position at the work place, indicating the weekly holiday, the work hours, the break intervals for all categories of the

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employees and must provide the Labour Department at the Ministry of Labour with a copy of such timetable. Second: Holidays: A- The weekly rest should not be less than continuous twenty four hours. The weekly holiday shall be paid and Friday is the weekly holiday for all employees except the shift employees. B- The employee deserves a fully paid leave as follows: 1- Three working days on the occasion of Eid Al-Fiter. 2- Three working days on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha. 3- One working day on the occasion of National Day of the State of Qatar. 4- Three working days to be decided by the employer. C) The employee deserves an annual leave not less than three weeks, after completion of continuous one year work and less than five years with the same employer. If he has spent more than five years of work with the same employer he deserves annual leave of four weeks. D) The employee has the right to a paid sick leave for each year of his services. Such a sick leave shall not be granted except after three months of the employees joining the work for the first time. If sick leave does not exceed two weeks the employee shall receive his full paid wage, but if the sick leave exceeds fifteen days he will be paid half of the normal wage for another four weeks, however, if the sick leave exceeds more than one and half month he will not be paid for such sick leave.

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E) A working woman who spends a full one year at work with an employer deserves a fully paid maternity leave of forty five days for delivery. F) The working woman shall be granted daily one hour for lactation of her child over one year w. e .f. the end of the maternity leave. G) The employee has no right to assign his right to enjoy the annual leave; any other agreement or compromise made in contrary to this provision is considered null and void. However, if the contract is terminated before he enjoys such annual leave; the employee shall have the right to receive financial compensation equal to his wage for the due days of the leave, in lieu of not enjoying annual leave.

Part Five: Termination of the Contract:

1- The employer may terminate the contract during the probation period, if it is proved to him that the employee is not fit to perform the work, provided he notifies the employee at least three days prior to termination of the contract. 2. The employer and the employee shall have the right to contract without justification, by notifying the other party in writing as per the Qatari Labour Law, in case the contract was for indefinite period. 3. The employee may terminate the contract before the expiry of its term, in case of the determined period of contract, without notifying the employer in case the contract is for indefinite term, without notifying the

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employer, while preserving his full rights to end service gratuity in the following cases: - If the employer fails to fulfill his obligations provided in the work contract or according to the provisions of Qatari Labour Law. - If the employer or the official in charge physically assaulted the employee or committed an immoral act on the employee, or on any of his family members. - If the employer or his representative cheated the employee at the time of contracting concerning the work terms. - If he found a serious danger that threatens his safety or health, provided that the employer was aware of the existence of such danger and he didnt act to remove it. 4- The employer may dismiss the employee, without notification and without giving him his due gratuity in the following vases: - In case the employee impersonates falsely somebody or claimed another nationality other than his or supplied forged documents or certificates. - If the employ commits a mistake that causes a severe material loss to the employer, provided the employer notifies the Labour Department with the case within a period not exceeding end of the next working day of his knowledge of the case. - If the employee breached more than one time the instructions pertaining to safety of employees and of the establishment, despite being warned in writing, provided that such instruction are written and pasted at a clear place.

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- If the employee violates more than once any of his essential obligations provided in the work contract or as per the law, despite being served a written warning. - If the employee disclosed the secrets of the establishment - If the employee was found under manifest drunken state or under influence of drugs during the working hours. - If the employee assaulted the employer, the manger or any of his seniors during the work or due to reasons pertaining to work. - If the employee repeats his assaults on his colleagues during the working hours despite being warned in writing. - If the employee remains absent of the work for more than continuously more than seven days or separate fifteen days during a year, without any justified reason. - If the employee was convicted by final judgment in crime related to honesty or trust. 5- It is not permissible to terminate the contract in the following two cases: 1- Death of the employer, unless the contract is entered to for consideration relating to his person or his career activities which ceases with his death 2- Merging of the establishment with another entity, or in case its ownership or the right to manage it is transferred to someone other than the employer for any reasons.

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Part Six: General Directions:

1- Abindance with the laws of the State of Qatar, observation of public rule and general morals, customs and traditions. 2- Keep the ID of your Work Permit and produce it to concerned people in case the concerned bodies in the country ask about it. 3- Work contract shall be in writing. 4- Keeness to observe work timings. 5- Care not to be absent from work without a prior permission or an acceptable reason. 6- Carry out the work by yourself and exert the normal care in its performance. 7- Carry out the technical instructions of the work issued by the employer, since the instructions are not contrary to the law or the contract in effect and that there is carrying out may not expose him to any danger. 8- Not to work with other employers whether for payment or free. 9- Not to work in any other profession other than the one indicated in the Work Permit, before taking the legal steps to change the profession. 10- Maitenece of the things under his charge or under his disposal, including raw materials, means of production or products or other things and shall take the procedures to ensure their maintenance or preservation. 11- Carrying out of the career safety and heath provided in the establishment.

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12- Help to prevent occurrence of calamities in any place of work or to remove the consequences of such calamities. 13- Continuous work to develop the skills and expertise professionally and culturally, as per the rules and regulation Set by the employer, in collaboration with the concerned bodies and within the available capabilities. 14- Not to disclose the secrets of the work after the end of the contract. 15- Not to use the work tools outside the work place, except by permission by the employer in collaboration with concerned bodies and within the available capabilities. 16- Not to receive gifts, rewards, commissions, or amounts of money from other parties other than the employer, against performance of his duties. 17- Must hand over, at the end of the term of the contract, all tools or materials under his charge. 18- Should not eat or drink in a public place during the month of Ramadan. 19- Not to escape from work for any reason otherwise theemplayee will be legally questioned. 20- Keenness to keep a copy of the contract after its attestation by the concerned departments. 21- In case the employee needs to file a labour complaint against the employer; it must be submitted to the Department of Work Relations at the Ministry of Labour, which works to amicably settle the disputes between the employee and the employer. In case the dispute persists it will be transferred to the competent court to decide on it.

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Part Seven:
List of Labour Offices and their Telephone Numbers all over the State of Qatar:
S/N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Labour Offices The Ministry of Labour Al-Muntazah Wakra Messaimeer Al-Khor Al-Rewais Within the Ministry of Economy Branch at the Passport Department Tel. No. 4841111 4406406 4603877 4258131 4726309 4730847 4833853 4890250

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Part Eight: Important Telephone Numbers:

S/N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Name of the Organization Police & Fire Enquiries Tel Directory enquiries Department of Work Relations Work Relation Department Work Inspection Department Traffic Police & Patrol Department Hamad Medical Hospital National Committee on Human Rights Qatar Airways Mowasalat Company (Karwa) Legal Courts Tel No. 999 180 4406578 4406566 4406388 4890666 4392222 4444012 4496000 4588888 4859111

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