Qatar domestic workers law pending vote by Shura Council; Some resistance to best practices
June 17, 2017
Qatar’s Shura Council has debated a draft law on domestic workers law in recent weeks.
Qatar
Latest articles
Qatar’s domestic worker law is sketchy on the details
March 21, 2017
Qatar's New Law: One Month On
February 13, 2017
Law No 21 of 2015 regulating the entry, exit and residency of expatriates came into force on December 13 with much fanfare, as Qatar claimed to abolish the Kafala system. But many workers say little has changed for them so far.
Qatar proves its critics right once again
January 13, 2017
Sorry! We are going to hold on to the exit permit system
Migration in the Gulf: 2016 in Review
January 9, 2017
“Will wait and see…”: Refrain of expats to Qatar’s Kafala 'reforms'
December 24, 2016
Latest In Brief
February 16, 2025
Qatar’s Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund: Tall Claims and Not Enough Data
The executive director of Qatar’s Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund (WSIF), Kholoud Saif Abdullah Al Kubaisi, recently stated that “over 130,000 workers have benefitted from the fund since its establishment, including its significant contribution to protecting their rights and ensuring that they receive their financial dues.” Though Al Kubaisi spoke of the fund’s transparency and its role alongside wider reforms in “reducing labour disputes and complaints,” there are still several issues that remain unaddressed.
February 14, 2025
Qatar Launches Amnesty for Migrants with Irregular Immigration Status
Qatar has launched a three-month amnesty period starting from 9 February 2025, allowing foreign residents with irregular immigration status to exit the country without penalties. It is not clear if residents would be able to regularise their status. Workers can exit the country through Hamad International Airport, or alternatively, they can visit the Search and Follow-up Department on Salwa Road to complete departure procedures within the specified period.
June 26, 2024
Qatar’s Shura Council has suggested reintroducing exit permits for domestic workers,
Qatar’s Shura Council has suggested reintroducing exit permits for domestic workers, though it has rephrased the practice as ‘obtaining employer approval’ at least five days before departure.
September 13, 2022
Rejection of job change requests on the rise in Qatar
The number of requests for job changes and rejections are on the rise in Qatar. Moreover, the rejections of new recruitment requests have also increased drastically in the last several months, likely in an effort to reduce the number of migrant workers in the country ahead of the World Cup.
June 28, 2022
Qatar: Compulsory health insurance system introduced
Qatar's new compulsory private health insurance system for all non-citizen residents, including visitors and those employed in the public and private sectors, is being rolled out in phases. The full text of the law's executive regulations have not yet been made public.