Qatar Labor Law on Penalties.

i have not read it from Qatar Labor Law that a company can ask me to pay for a penalty before they allow me to start my work with them. i was hired by a company here in qatar and arrived here on visit visa. i submitted my documents promptly with them for the processing of my working visa, but the visa processing took over a month that, according to the company, they have paid the penalty for my "overstaying." is it legal for the company to ask me to pay that so-called penalty before i even start my work with them? or have i missed out something from any Qatar Law that validates their condition? thank you in advance for your advice.