Qatar to replace current exit permit system
The current exit permit system will be replaced by a new mechanism where expat workers will be granted exit permits through the Ministry of Interior, according to the official twitter feed of the ministry.
The new sponsorship system will be on a contract basis, said the assistant director of Border Passports and Expatriate Affairs Brig. Mohammed Al Ateeq in a press conference on Wednesday.
Officials announced a draft proposal to the current labor law during the press conference.
If the draft law is approved by the Shura council, employers will no longer have control over employees' exit permits.
All such requests will go through the Ministry of Interior directly.
This law affects all expatriates in Qatar with a residence permit under their employers.
"We want to provide more protection to expat community and workers in this country, to provide more protection and safeguard their rights," said Salih Saeed Al-Sahwi from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, as quoted by Doha News.
In addition, the proposal states that employer will be fined QR 50,000 instead of 10,000 for confiscating passports of employees.
More details will be announced in the coming months.
Key proposed changes include:
- The Kafala system will be replaced with contracts.
- All exit permit requests will go through the Ministry of Interior's e-government platform. Employees will only need employer approval on final exit permit.
- Employers will have lesser say in No Objection Certificates, which regulates the transfer of employees.
- People leaving the country without NOC do not have to wait for two years to return to Qatar.
- Amendments to improve labor worker living conditions and strengthening penalties for wage violations have been introduced.
If the exit permit system is removed, it will be a major blow to Qatar's business sector as they will have diminished control over the departure of their employees.
However, the system was quite effective in preventing expatriates from leaving the country before settling their financial liabilities.
The announcement could also be a prompt response to pressure from several foreign organisations like Amnesty International to relax certain labor laws and give the working class more rights.
The Ministry has already taken steps to protect labour rights like implementing the Wage Protection System, which will be closely monitored by the government.
The WPS will help to keep employers in check that refuse to pay salaries to their employees.
What changes were you hoping to see in the labor laws?
Current exit permit system will be replace a new mechanism where the expat worker will be granted exit permit through Ministry of Interior.
— Ministry of Interior (@MOI_QatarEn) May 14, 2014As per the new draft law employer will be fined QR 50,000 instead of 10,000 for confiscating passports of employees.
— Ministry of Interior (@MOI_QatarEn) May 14, 2014Written by Penny Yi Wang with reporting by Mohamed Noorudeen.
"employers will no longer have control over employees' exit permits." hmmmm sounds like Employers dancing cha cha, tango and waltz music with the MOI. Of course nothing is new with this law. Employers will still be able to report to the MOI those employees they dont want to leave thereby not giving Exit Permit.
Qatar is trying really, compared to other nations.Expatriates are paid very high but depending on your country of origin.Nepalese, Bangladeshi, Africans are in a high mess,, e.g. accommodation is more than enough for all in Qatar but it's too high and still they refuse to let out to especially Africans, with the excuse that theyare single.The new amendments are so vague and in contrast to the one on, nothing has changed and we will accept and accepted it, we will leave and die by it.stop deceiving people when there are no amendments, labourers can't leave in a decent environment, a safety officer earning 5000qr can't leave in a decent apartment, either the cost or he won't get a place because they say he is single.low wages and accommodation is the biggest Labour's issue here, it's inhumane how much people earn and where they sleep, stinking and packed 12 in a single dirty room because they can't afford the rent for themselves.Accommodation is too expensive please look into it.
Employer should not tell (misuse) poor workers to apply Own exit Permit via MOI. For These people may not be able to apply Exit permit, mostly Language allied issue. Otherwise we can find huge crowd peoples standing every typing center to get an exit permit due to their lack of computer proficiency. It could be worth for document clearing typing centers, not for lobors.
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So for workers who have a fixed duration contract with their companies (not unspecified/unlimited), it means they can switch their company without NOC at the end of the contract if they decide not to renew it. This is a significant change for those who are affected. BUT it is not clear whether their existing contract should be under the new system, or whether the rule will be applied once they have made a new contract under new system. In other words... (MAYBE) if you currently have a limited duration contract, you still face a 2 year ban if you quit your job after completing the duration of contract.
As usual nothing changed. Before they announce that all people will be happy but it is clearly all people are disappointed. The favor still to the employer and the employees will stay in the cage of the employer.
What about project visa?
Q-tel to Ooredoo & Sponsor to Employer....hahahaha
congratulation to qatar for changing Q-tel to Ooredoo..
So if i have an emergency, I have to wait for 3 f**king days call grace? This is PRISON/DETENTION. The same company owners are the law makers.
If Qatar things they are making good laws, then they better practice one on their citizen to see how foolishly, stupidly & ancient minded they are...
In present system we can get the exit permit online within 2-3 minutes. Just a click away. Now we have to apply 72 hours before. Woooh what an improvement!
another day and night and day again...
Thank you sooooooooooooooo.............................. much
Financial crime graph is going to rise , I am afraid ........................................ Thu , 15.05.2014 , 08.01 hrs
Banks stand to loose to the gentlement & women who are going to run away with the banks free bounty. Thu , 15.05.2014 , 08.00 hrs
Bad law still Qatar to follow ksa r uae lay to improve
Thanks & keep updated
Still it is WILL BE CHANGED... Please Share in Media when IT IS CHANGED. else all Drama...
How abt family visa ???
Employers make new agreements (100% indefinite ) so you people can change employer/ sponsors after 5 years once your new contract is in effect .
Sponsors will be called as Employers .
BIG CHANGE NO.1
ITS ANOTHER JOKE AFTER YEARS .
Old wine in new bottle. Not much kick.
Thanks
Nothing has changed...
facts : Exit permit still exists , NOC still exists at least for the next 5 years
The sponsorship change system has been amended to contract period. Most of the companies now preparing contract is for 2 years period. which means now onwards they may prepare it for 5 or more years. So it wont be a good news for employees who may sign new contracts here onwards.
what a waste for people...
Still all same with new brand name... huh
old student but in new uniform lolz
i think ,they only saying that they are doing something positive for workers but honestly they nothing do just only saying ,making fool others and confused to poor worker .
no change..........
is it possible to do work part time in qatar from today?
Please don't confuse the people.........If possible give clear state about what actually and what was the changes and what will be benefits if any ??? Giving long quote and nothing much in the end.
As usual,,,,,, no changes....hmm
LOL Zafirah,,,,,thanks for the info,,,,,,but sad to say that High Profile $tupids(r{tards) still exist in the world,,,,,,$hity changes :(((
Is there any announcemnt regarding NOC ?
What will be the basis for the MoI to issue an exit permit? Will they not still require approval from the employer? Currently it is the MoI that issues exit permits but with the concurrence of the employer, so what's the difference? What will happen to the multi-exit permit - is this going to be replaced by the new mechanism?
The change in the sponsorship law is not yet clear nor definite. It still has to be passed by the Shura council. I gather that the NOC will not be required for employees under the :definite" contract, but what about those under an "indefinite contract?" What if an employee resigns or terminates the contract for valid reasons will the employee be required still to pay the employer-sponsor the equivalent of the unserved period?
There are still several issues that remain to be addressed and clarified, but this is a good start.
NO COMMENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What? I don't get it... I there change? NOT! Lol!
@PL, Ministry of Interior @MOI_QatarEn · 42m
Contracts for indefinite term, job switch over will be allowed after 5 years from the date of contract.
Will be effective from 2023 onwards
what a joke, they already declared the new amendments and still telling that all are subject to approve of SUPREME COUNCIL. did they engaged press meet without got approval from SUPREME COUNCIL, if they reject any points then what will happen. every thing is so confuse and conflict.
This law is mostly favour to Employer only!!! Now all companies will make new contract and suck us...... One thing happy exit permit no more through sponsor.
the RP will be replaced by contract between employer and employee, if the period of employment is not mentioned in the contract , job switch over will be allowed after 5 years from the date of contract. exit permit will be issued by the ministry of interior instead of sponsor and i think the MOI will first check with the company if they can allow you to leave the country, companies CAN NOT hold your passport, the fine now has increased to 50.000 instead of 10.000
The law needs approval from the supreme council "مجلس الشورى"
nothing is clear yet my advice is to get tomorrow's newspapers where everything will be clear
This is A.K.A Nonsense. What a change...HaHaHaHa-Qatar. Just like Watar. Runs Deep. The last and most important question is "When will the so call change take effect"? Because the Legislative approval can be in 2025...
Can i switch job if my contract is for indefinite term ??? plz advice coz my company $ucks badly :(((
hereafter employment will be in contract basis ....say 1 year. If u breach the contract , u have to pay fine/penalty then switchover to other job. If company terminate ur contract then they will settle yours amount and u can free to find other job within stipulated time period only may be 1 month time. But still not clears. Wait until clear statement comes in newspaper.
"The new sponsorship system will be on contract basis, said the assistant director of Border Passports and Expatriate Affairs Brig. Mohammed Al Ateeq in a press conference on Wednesday."
Can anybody explain what it meant? Thanks
Plz specify clear and complete picture here especially abt Exit permit and N.O.C. instead of part time jobs :)
we wanted to see the final changes..
Still Not clear the NOC system to jump jobs???
1. No more Exit required for working here itself.....whenever fly. But for permanent Exit required from Sponsor to cancel visa properly it seems.
2. Salary will raise soon in all companies.....orelse employees will keep jump.
ok, what is the changes / amendments
good news to everyone and companies now are obliged to increase the salaries of employees....
thanks to keep us updated...