Sunday, September 24, 2023
Home Qatar Sponsor-Based Vs. Contract-Based Employment in Qatar

Sponsor-Based Vs. Contract-Based Employment in Qatar

Sponsored based contracts allow employees to rely on their sponsors when it comes to every process of employment. But here in Qatar, the situation is different. Although it is still called the Sponsorship law, employees here rely on the contract-based employment wherein the Ministry of Interior intervenes with the process that happens between the employees and employers.

Also Read: Posting Online: Rules When Using Social Media in Qatar

In 2015, the new sponsorship law was implemented, initiating the changes in the labor law in Qatar. Expats who are employed before and after the change must know the major amendments as these will affect your rights and privileges as workers in this country.

Contract Signature

Important Key Points to Note

Deciding To Leave The Country

If in case you decide to leave the country, Article 7 of the Qatar Labor Law states the following:

  • The employee or the recruiter (or the employer) should report to the Ministry of Interior (MOI) 3 days prior to the date of exit.
  • The employee can exit immediately once the approval for the leave has reached the MOI.
  • If there is an objection from the MOI, the employee can direct to the expatriate exit petitions committee.

Custody of Passport

Some expats are still getting caught up with the wrong custody of the passport. Some employers keep their employees’ passports to prohibit them to leave or exit the country without their approval. This should not be the case according to Article 8 of the Qatar Labor Law. The provisions state the following:

  • The recruiter (employer) should give back the passport to employees after completing all the required processes.
  • The employee can choose to leave his documents in custody of the employer as long as it is in writing and the documents can be released as soon as the employee requested.

Exiting The Country

Staying out of Qatar for more than 6 consecutive months is not allowed as per article 14 of the labor law. If this happens, the employee should seek a permit to return to the country before reaching 1 year outside the country and within the 60 days after the expiry of the residence permit.

Also Read: Best Websites & Apps to Help You Save Money in Qatar

Repatriation of Expats

For employees who quit their job, your employer is responsible to tell the MOI within 14 days that you are quitting the job and leaving the country. Consequently, here are the following provisions on repatriation:

  • The employer bears all the repatriation expenses.
  • If the employee is working for more than one employer, he is responsible for his own repatriation cost.
  • If the expat dies, the employer is responsible for the expenses of burying the body in any cemetery in the country.
  • If the family of the expat requested for the body to be repatriated, the employer should pay for the repatriation cost.

These are some of the major key points you have to keep in mind if you’re an employee in Qatar. Always keep yourself updated on the new laws and provisions.

Must Read

How to Compute Gratuity Pay in Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, if you resigned or get terminated from your work, you don’t only get to serve the notice period for your employer....

Guide to Banking in Saudi Arabia

If you are an expatriate living and working in Saudi Arabia, you have to be knowledgeable of your banking needs in this country. Bank...

Employment Notice Period in Saudi Arabia

If you are an expat currently working in Saudi Arabia and you want to find a new employer to whom you could work, you...

How to Transfer to a New Job in Saudi Arabia

Are you planning to resign from your current job and transfer to a new job? Regardless if you’re a new expat in Saudi Arabia...

What’s Huroob and How Can You Exit Saudi Without Jail

We are going to talk about Huroob and how can expats exist from Saudi Arabia without spending time in jail. A lot of you...