Ministry of Labour

Manual of Expatriate Employees in

the State of Qatar
Contents:
Topics
Page
Numbers
Introduction
5
Part One: Basic facts about the State of Qatar
6
Part Two: Work Permit
10
Part Three: Work Contract
11
Part Four: Work Hours, Holidays & Accommodation
12
Part Five: Contract Expiry
15
Part Six: General Directions
18
Part Seven: List of Labour Ofces
20
Part Eight: Important Telephone Numbers
21
5
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 specifc term, after
realization of their aspirations.
In order to provide better and dignifed 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.
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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.

Ofcial Language:
Arabic is the ofcial language in Qatar.

Religion:
Islam is the ofcial religion of the country, and the Shariah
(Islamic code of Law) is a main source of its legislations.
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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 ofcial currency is the Qatari Riyal (QR), which is divided
into 100 dirhams. The Exchange parity has been set at the
fxed 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 fag:
The national fag is in maroon
colour with a broad vertical
white stripe at the pole, the two
colours being separated with a
nine-point serrated line.
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Work Hours:
- Government ofces: 7 am to 2 pm.
- Friday and Saturday are the weekend holidays for
government ofces.

Local Time:
3 hours + Greenwich Mean Time.

Electrical Current:
240 Volts + 6% with frequency 50 hertz.
Important Tourist Sites:
First: Museums
- Qatar National Museum - Islamic Art Museum.
Second: Castles:
- Zubara Castle
- Doha Castle (AL-Kout) - Al-Wajba Castle
- Um Salal Mohamed Castle - Barzan Castle.
Third: Gardens:
-Al-Bidaa Garden - Aspire Zone Garden
- Doha Zoo.
Fourth: Beaches:
-Al-Gharia Coast Resort - Salain Coast Resort
9
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, Al-
Salam 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
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Second: Social Clubs:
- Al-Dana Club - Diplomatic Club.
- Doha Golf 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 ft 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 fve 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 defnite or indefnite
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 specifcally indicate the date of
its conclusion, date of commencement of work, place of
work, tenure of the contract in case of defnite 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 fve 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 indefnite 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 specifed by the
Minister.
In such works the maximum work hours shall be
defned, by a decision by the Minister.
13
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 fve years with the same employer. If
he has spent more than fve 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 frst time. If sick leave does not exceed two
weeks the employee shall receive his full paid wage, but
if the sick leave exceeds ffteen 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.
15
E) A working woman who spends a full one year at work
with an employer deserves a fully paid maternity leave
of forty fve 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 fnancial 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 ft to
perform the work, provided he notifes 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 justifcation, by notifying the other
party in writing as per the Qatari Labour Law, in case the
contract was for indefnite 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 indefnite term, without notifying the
16
employer, while preserving his full rights to end service
gratuity in the following cases:
- If the employer fails to fulfll his obligations provided
in the work contract or according to the provisions of
Qatari Labour Law.
- If the employer or the ofcial 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
notifcation 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 certifcates.
- If the employ commits a mistake that causes a severe
material loss to the employer, provided the employer
notifes 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.
17
- 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 infuence 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
ffteen days during a year, without any justifed
reason.
- If the employee was convicted by fnal 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.
18
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 efect 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.
19
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 fle 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.
20
Part Seven:
List of Labour Ofces and their Telephone
Numbers all over the State of Qatar:
S/N Labour Ofces Tel. No.
1 The Ministry of Labour 4841111
2 Al-Muntazah 4406406
3 Wakra 4603877
4 Messaimeer 4258131
5 Al-Khor 4726309
6 Al-Rewais 4730847
7 Within the Ministry of Economy 4833853
8 Branch at the Passport Department 4890250
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Part Eight: Important Telephone Numbers:
S/N Name of the Organization Tel No.
1 Police & Fire Enquiries 999
2 Tel Directory enquiries 180
3 Department of Work Relations 4406578
4 Work Relation Department 4406566
5 Work Inspection Department 4406388
6 Trafc Police & Patrol Department 4890666
7 Hamad Medical Hospital 4392222
8 National Committee on Human Rights 4444012
9 Qatar Airways 4496000
10 Mowasalat Company (Karwa) 4588888
11 Legal Courts 4859111
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