• Qatar’s Emir approves changes to the country’s labor law - Doha News

    http://dohanews.co/qatars-emir-approved-changes-countrys-labor-law/?pushup=1

    Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar’s Emir, has approved an amendment to the national labor law today, according to the state’s Qatar News Agency.

    At 8:40pm on Wednesday, the agency posted the following bulletin:

    Doha, February 18 (QNA) – HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani issued today Law No. (1) of the year 2015, amending some provisions of the Labour Act No. (14 ) of the year 2004.
    The law is to be enforced and be published in the Official Gazette.(QNA)

    No further details have been released yet.

    But in May, authorities pledged to make it easier for expats to change jobs and leave the country. Over the past nine months, amendments to the labor law have been tied up in consultative meetings.

    To the disappointment of some, the proposed changes stopped short of abolishing the much-criticized no objection certificate requirement to switch employers and exit permit system that regulates sponsored employees’ ability to exit Qatar.

    Other reforms that were discussed included requiring companies to pay their employees through direct bank transfers, making it easier for expats and the government to scrutinize and document any late or non-existing payments.

    Several human rights advocates speculated that this evening’s announcement may only cover measures mandating electronic salary transfers:

    Officials at QNA and Al Meezan – which publishes Qatar’s official gazette – told Doha News this evening that they did not have any information on the substance of the labor law changes.

    More soon.