Qatar considers scrapping sponsorship system

Your Opinion: Qatar intends to drop the sponsorship system

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I always wonder how on earth them kind of people get a job themselfs in the first place... but as i always say,, back in the old country we are all trained as managers conducting a 4 week courson how to get thebest from your staff,,,, what can i say about these tossers,,,,,,,,,hmmm give me my gun

I agree with you sir!!!

How on earth can people think this is a BAD thing? Removing or at least changing the system to make the rules more consistent and fair will mean that Qatar benefits. Currently, someone gets hired in Qatar, they come here, they work, they learn about the country, the culture, the people, they make contacts, tehy get better at their jobs. and then, instead of staying in the country and advancing professionally, they have no choice but to leave once their contract is up if they're not pleased with their employer. That's robbing Qatar of people who could help it develop.

There is too much power in the hands of too many unchecked people. I worked for two years for one company, was promoted 3 times, and was never, ever ever given a raise-- even to bring me up to the level of the person who left and whose job I was promoted in to. Four months before my contract ended, I went to my sponsor and asked about the possibility of maybe making more money than a jr employee, now that I had been management for a year and a half. He said no. He told me I was a fool to think I would make more money anywhere else. Or get Saturdays off. Or not work massive overtime. Or not be screamed at by management.

So I didn't renew. I gave four months notice, I helped find my replacement, I trained them, and left. I got another job in another nearby country that is using my Qatar expertise by having me commute in and out of Qatar regularly for business. WHen my old sponsor found this out, he first called me to scream at me, demanding I come see him to grovel (which Id idn't do), and then sent a letter denouncing me as a disloyal traitor to my new employer. He threatened to have me 'banned' from Qatar. All of this wa disregarded as he had, as I'd left, given me a GLOWING letter of recommendation.

That's a normal story under this system. It has to stop. If nothing else, employees who finish their contracts on good terms adn with proper notice should get an NOC-- it shouldn't be at the discretion of petty vindictive people, insulted that someone dares to not want to continue to work for them for their crumbs.

Oh pls take a chil pill will you

Hi,

I want from Qatar Government and its People that Government should be sponsor for all workers and exit permit should be provided by government, Active Tax system should be available for international worker & Standard agreement should be between employee and employer in witness of government through which Qataris may be upper hand as they are citizen of Qatar. other side , if today We all are in peace it is because of Qatar Government tight Law and best service , But there is some changes required .

I am sorry if is any trouble in English grammar .

Thanks

It's a good sign that Qatar government is open for a change or even considering it to show that they are concern... Well good luck to mr Hamad... Two months to go, good bye Qatar & tnx for the learning experience...

Hi,

There is No doubt Qatar and Qataris people is best in gulf and in world . Qatar and its people are welcome people to international community.They are more loving then other Arab Countries.Our suggestion in Law is for better and advance Qatar.It will increase the image of Qatar in world.

It is very good move if Qatar Government bring changes in Law , We pray that it happen soon as possible, Today sponsorship Law has very limited right for worker , Minimum a person lived for years he /she should have free right to work whatever he /she want.

Suggestion !!

We don't want full right like Qataris have because we are not national of Qatar but it should not be limited as today . Our right should be limited to international Law of work.

Exit letter and Visa Renewal should be done directly from Government for all workers.

a person should be able to work under 3 sponsor at one time . hence he/she can serve more Qatar and support herself/himself better.

Family and blood relatives visa should be more easy.

After 5 years residence with no crimes any worker should be able to start his/her own business anywhere or in limited cities in Qatar but there should be some financial conditions.

Tax system should be introduce with all above right through which we can pay thanks to Qatar.

There is No doubt Qatar and Qataris people is best in gulf and in world . Qatar and its people are welcome people to international community. But our suggestion in Law is for better and advance Qatar.

Thanks

Modern Khans

its not an easy thing...

Does someone know that award of FIFA will expedite process of Sponsorship scrapping? Why do'nt we start a blog in support of immediate scrapping of Sponsorship rules!! Let's address to human Rights Qatar, MOI and office of Prime Minsiter himself. I hope we can make a diference!

Rumours are that if Qatar gets the 2022, then the system will be scrapped to allow free flow of labour for the big projects that will come about..

QCCI wants sponsorship, exit permits to continue

"Asked by Al Sharq about Kuwait’s recent announcement that it will do away with the sponsorship system by February 2011, the QCCI chairman, Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, said: “We are all for retaining these rules.”

He admitted that the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister,

H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani, had told Qatari businessmen during an interaction with them before the new sponsorship law was implemented that studies were on to assess if the exit permit and sponsorship rules could

be removed.

“But we told him that we wanted the systems to continue,” said Sheikh Khalifa. “Our stand was supported by the Minister of State for Interior Affairs, who was also present at the meeting,” he added."

http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/128785-qcci-wants-sponsorship-exit-permits-to-continue.html

and SAMMY also remember :

Allah says in Surah at Tawbah ayah 71:

The believing men and women are ‘awliya’ (loyal) to one another.

Allah says in Surah al Ahzab ayah 58:

And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly, they bear on themselves the crime of slander and plain sin.

And YES , WE are Muslims too , not ONLY the Arabs....wallahi, I bear witness that Allah is the only true God and that Muhammad is His finale messenger send to all of mankind !

Now will you fear Allah and give your muslims brothers and sister there rights ( in Islam) ??!!!

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves. (The Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) Last Sermon)

this one is for you SAMMY33 :

Sayings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) which all Muslims should always remember :

...A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He neither oppresses him nor humiliates him nor looks down upon him. The piety is here, (and while saying so) he pointed towards his chest thrice. It is a serious evil for a Muslim that he should look down upon his brother Muslim. All things of a Muslim are inviolable for his brother in faith; his blood, his wealth and his honor. Sahih Muslim Book 31, Number 6219.

"None among you will be a true believer until he wants for his brother [Muslim] that which he wants for himself."

I might have to check the cupboards before Sammy comes back ;)

Let me pop out to get some more before you carry on.

:)

Doesn't make it go away, mate. Try cleaning your heart, mind and mouth :)

b

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F

=

So if Muslims don't wish death on other Muslims...then why to more than a few Sunnis and Shi'as wish to kill each other????

I really don't think you are from Oman.....

Yu wouldn't be a racist now, would you Sammy?

I daresay anyone with a halfway decent education and upbringing would not refer to "wetbags" (I think you mean "wetbacks"), redskins (an American football team if I am correct) and nigers (a country in Africa). Didn't make it past 3rd grade, mate?

You really represent the worst of the Gulf Arabs, and ironically you are Omani (who I always found to be nice down to earth people until reading your shyte) and not even Qatari! What are you so afraid of if Qatar drops its sponsorship law? That the uneducated human dregs like yourself won't have an advantage anymore?

in one day.... I do wish there was a "like" button on QL...

Abu, that like would have been for you:-)

You are right Sammy Muslims DON'T wish death to a Muslim, they wish for guidance and goodness ..... But also a Muslim does not oppresses a Muslim , no matter where, he or she comes from ( nationality) , but that is the feeling we Muslims get here and the treatment we facing ..... non of that is from Islam .... so go back and read the Quran insha allah and reflect upon it and the Sunnah my dear brother you have much to learn .,,, so do we all !!!

yeah and let me jump in to the conversation here @ sammy and "your kind" comes to MY COUNTRY to get a proper education and a quality medical care , to get quality cars , other such things that are of quality and use !!!!!

Thank you very much , you are not a educated as you think you are.... before saying useless stuff "think "!

You come to my country and the you will get what you seek and WE will not oppress you will you get it , same rights for everybody where I come from .... and we talking about the land of the kufar , can't say the same about this place :(

"free-for-all" policy. They will just give it another name. One need to finish the first contract and will have the freedom to negotiate for the next or transfer work!

it will not be possible here...at all..but if it does, then it would be a great change.

good. people who think its bad should look around the world.

scrapping sponsorship system means, all under one roof. Govt. will be the sponsor for each!

lol....thanks you just showed me what a waisted education look like.

The existing system, though well defined by the authority but extremely exploited by local opportunists, is nothing more than EXPLOIT. It requires urgent review for Qatar to attain its goal in the comity of enlighten nations.

Agree with QS' posties above. Very true. Some employees are out to get what they can from their employers... vice versa too, of course. SOME...

Also agree that the "one thing that can be and probably should be changed is a "NOC letter" issue." NOC should be given to the employee automatically when his contract is completed or mutually terminated. If it was terminated due to employee's misconduct, then the NOC should not be given.

Not just the rights of employees should be protected but also the employers. But I'm aware of many instances where the sponsorship system has allowed abuse and infringement of employees' human rights. Any system has pros and cons, it's a matter of the implementation and having checks and balances in place to curb the abuse. Sometimes, absolute power corrupts absolutely.

What puts the smell into it it is the simple word considering........ hahahahhahahahahhah sure when it snows in hell i will. stand up and listen. got to be dreaming im sorry to say, Qatar wont make a stand on this issue

Lets look on the bright side. Life would be just great without having to run after your sponsor for every little thing which at the moment makes you tied to him

This how the law of Bahrain looks like, I am confident that the Qatari law would not be much different:

"the foreign worker has the right- without requiring the consent of the employer- to move from one employer to another without breaching the rights of the employer as per the articles of the law or the clauses of the employment contract between the two sides"

So, go and dig that contract out, and read what it says. Employers will now make sure that the new contracts are tightly written to protect their interest.

Complete Bahraini law is here:

http://portal.lmra.bh/english/legal/show/17

just like in the USA maybe, just a more stable economy.

If they scrap this system. How everything will work? I mean to say, how companies will hire foreign employees or visas will be issued?

fingers crossed. prayers high.

dreaming awake. :(

hopefully it really comes to reality.

i'm quite late with this news, but just in case it happen, i will be he first one to rejoice... :)

I is a good move, personally i was forced 2 reject 2 great offers. hope something good happens b4 we all start our retired life

Personally i don't think some people actually understand the extent of harm that can be done whenever there is a slight misuse of power..... For example imagine you get a job out here & your sponsor tells you that "It is not in our company policy to pay for the inbound flight of all new recruits" & then you agree based on the other bright promises listed on your contract! in most cases, people look out for better opportunities abroad because they mostly in some kind of financial mess back home!..... So following the sponsors promises, they decide to sell their car and some other valuable belongings just to come out here ONLY TO BE SENT BACK HOME AND CANCELLED FOR TWO YEARS JUST BY VOICING OUT THEIR OPINION!!! And thereby losing everything..... I don't think it's fair, it might come as a shock to you but i'm actually an employer & i speak from a very unbiased place!!!

Please don't get me wrong there are wicked people all around the world but without power & support "Wicked people are Powerless".

QATAR IS ONE OF THE MOST STABLE & SAFEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD & THATS BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING..... TRUST ME, AT THE END OF THE DAY, ONLY THE BEST SOLUTION WILL BE APPLIED..... GOD BLESS US ALL!

Even if these people changed jobs... there will be so much better employees to pick from that too from within Qatar as there is no need for NOC...

The problem solves itself....

If one employee walks out the door this morning ..... tomorrow morning there could be another employee taking up the post...

Its the same every where in the World.

Xena, I am not talking about yourself in particular. Myself also is very loyal person, and I proved it with my previous employer. Couple of times I was offered better pay, but I have denied it, as I thought "my Compnay needs me", wallah! Currently I shifted to my hub's Company, but this is different story.

But you have to agree not everyone like you or me or Abu :) I am talking about hundreds (if not thousands)of irresponsible employees, who are principle-less, and all they care about is extra few pennies no matter what. Trust me, they ARE existing! I know it from my own experience.

And what I say is the employee's rights should be protected, same way as the Employer's rights should be protected too!

Abu, as intelligent person, I just look at this issue from BOTH sides. Unfortunately not all employees are honest with their employers. You cannot deny that there are plenty of employees who does "abuse" their employers. They are lazy at work, they make tons of mistakes, they always find the excuse to escape the tasks, they are not responsible, not reliable, etc...I that form my own experience.. trust me, there are plenty of them. All they are looking for is to do less job for more money, nothing else. They don't care about the employer, company, business. They only want not to work and get paid. Now imagine, the employer requires the employee to be productive at work, the employee takes it as an unreasonable accusation, and... changes the company. So the employer who brought him here, who spent money, efforts,and time for his transportation and training, eventually stays with nothing, and is forced to start again the process of hiring which might be long and costly. Is that fair? As I said, thousands of people are looking for ANY chance to get to Qatar. Can you imagine, such person is offered a job, with free transportation to Qatar? this person would agree to work for $100 just to be brought in here. And then what?

I am not saying that the system should remain as it is. As i said, I could never understand why the employee cannot get involved with another job once his contract is over or terminated. I am convinced, in such cases no need any NOC letters. But you have to agree, that the CONTRACT should be followed, regardless. When you conclude some business contract, and then later you realize that probably it was a mistake, what you can do? You cannot just walk away, because "that's not what you expected". Right? You either have to wait till the term of the contract is over or have to pay agreed penalties. This is common business practice, otherwise why two parties sign the contracts, if it can be cancelled any moment by any party? Agreed? Same with the employment contracts. YOU have been offered a job, YOU accepted the offer, YOU have signed the contract, so do me a favor, be responsible for your decision, and follow the agreement, signed by you! Once this agreement is over, you are free to conclude another agreement. But you cannot just walk away any second, because the employer next building offered you 100 riyal more. Am I right or not? And again, if we are talking about “BAD employer”, well, there is a law (and it should work!), which protects rights of the employee. If working hours/holidays/days off are abused by employer, or salary is not paid, or some other violations take place, legal actions should be taken against such employer. But if the employer just simply requets the employee to work with full dedication without any excuses, well, this is the employer’s rights, no matter whether the employee likes it or not.

I don’t know how it should be called, sponsorship or some other name. Name doesn’t matter. The system matters. And system should consider the interests of BOTH parties and ensure safety and satisfaction of both – employee and employer.

You work you a$$ off to make a living, giving your expertise to a country and then oneday, someone doesn't like something you did - not work related, but maybe having an argument with a Qatari or something along those lines, and thats it, you are gone!!!!

Your hardwork and efforts down the toilet because someone told your sponsor get rid of you... why should there be such a hold over people - we are all human beings - not slaves....

I am sure I have seen this before;-P

But as Genesis said, its never been said outright by a senior government member.

I agree Abu, wholeheartedly. I have said it once and I will say it again - Treat your staff with respect and give them their dues, and there is no reason to fear them leaving!!!

Why, if you are working in Qatar, would you behave any differently, professionally, than you would behave in your own country?

I have had 2 longtime employees in SA before coming to Qatar - 1st one I was with for 9 years - the second for 4 years and I have now been with my current employer in Qatar for 5 years (because I cannot go anywhere else).

I am a good and loyal worker and if you treat me right, I will give you the world.... Why Qatarisun, would you think it would be any different with most others in Qatar?

Exit permits - again, if you are treating me correctly, why would you fear giving me an exit permit? If I am getting everything I signed up for - and not being screwed over, I will be back, cause I feel appreciated and again, I will be loyal to you!!!

This is how it is the world over, why can it not be the same in Qatar? What are people so scared of?

With this action, there will be huge competition among corporates/banks to give good salary package to their old & new employees.

Also, huge opportunity for expats too

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I think & wish the environment here will be very similar to DUBAI

.

Just want Qatari Govt to concenterate on Affordable Family Entertainment just like in DUBAI.

No need to jump to conclusions. Any change requires protecting the employee as well as the EMPLOYER. For some reason people thinking that the proposed system will free up workers from all obligations. Wrong!

I am for it, and I think it is already overdue. But I think the euphoria expressed here by most comments are baseless. I worked for most of my professional career in the US, but I have not seen anyone jumping employers every month, this simply does not work.

Your next employer requires recommendations and records of achievements from your previous one, as well as employment and salary history records. If you jumped so often, you would definitely not be recommended for employment by HR, as they know you will jump away again soon, and be categorized as a "Job Hopper".

As was pointed out earlier, it is a positive pressure on employers to institute systems to protects the rights of their employees, and employee retention mechanisms. It will not become a free market employment as many expect.

Thank you for an insightful post :)

Then let's see what will happen.

Here here - great post

You are 100% right.

Dear Honorable League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,

One way of proceeding in the right direction is to extinguish the influence of the Qatari Businessmen council(which is largely composed of 'dominatrix' Irani Qataris from the Dark Ages)in these decisions...

It was rumor for last 4/5 years. This is the first time officially announced. Hope it will be implemented as Bahrain did it from May-2010 & Kuwait going to do it from February-2011. Both parties (Employer & Employee) will be benefited. More competetion will be there in searching of job. Employee & employer will have lot of options choose in. Probably salary package will go down due to huge application (As all expats free to move) for an advertised position from skilled, semi-skilled & even from fresh graduates.

Inshalla this will happen soon

The FIRST issue that needs to be dealt with in this context is abolishing this exit permit" nonsense...i mean seriously,NONE of the other GCC countries except Qatar & Saudi practice this stone age policy & they seem to be doing just fine...they too have majority expat populations & all other factors are same or similar as to here,yet they seem to be able to manage just fine...i'm no immigration expert so i don't know how they do it,all i know is,they do it & if they can,surely Qatar can...

It's a ridiculous system that leaves employees @ the mercy of the sponsor/mandoob & no multiple exits aren't the solution,because only a very small % of companies issue multiple exits & that too only for senior management,that's a VERY SMALL % of the workforce,what about the rest of us "regular" people?...

That could be a good start actually,abolishing the exit permit & taking it from there,one step @ a time...

However,as someone correctly pointed out above,this is Qatar,i'll believe this when i see it,i for one,am not getting my hopes up just yet...

we'll just have to wait and see...

I heard the Same rumor about 3/4 years before .lol

Their Decision depends on UAE's Decision (i think )

At least i have to say Hurray For the News .

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/employment/expats-can-seek-new-jobs-after-end-of-contract-1.709326

how are u today

Oh no...how will the employers exploit workers here now?

Could you have your nose any further up Qatar's arse? You'll never get a passport mate ;)

DREAM ON!!!!!!

Alot more years to come, years are years, keep counting and wait till it's there and say hurray!

IF this is finally implemented.. then all I can say is.. "Amen"!

"As for exit permits, as i am aware, all (or most) western companies issue Multiple exit permits for their employees"

Yes... but most don't work for western companies; and anyway with no sponsers who would be responsible for issuing exit visas, multiple or otherwise?

one thing that can be and probably should be changed is a "NOC letter" issue. NOC should be given to the employee authomatically in two cases: when his contract either completed or terminated. That is all changes that we need so far. Other than that there are no any real problems with sponsorship. Don't forget, sponsoring companies bring you to Qatar, and they are totally responsible for you. So they kind of have to have rights to develop some tools to be aware of your movements (up to some point).

As for exit permits, as i am aware, all (or most) western companies issue Multiple exit permits for their employees.

As a consequence the exit visa situation would also have to be amended in light of there being no sponser.

Qatar could still keep an eye on people arriving in the country as work permits would stil have to be prearranged to obtain a visa. Anyone coming in on a tourist visa and trying to work will be dealt with as under the current system.

There will probably need to be a central registar where employees have to inform the government of their new employer; and employers will have to inform the register when someone leaves their employ.

having said all this I can't see any major changes actually happening soon, or if at all.

Abu, as I said, there is ALWAYS something better than we have. ALWAYS. There is no limit for better. You are brought to Qatar for purpose of work with certain company. This company has chosen you, and you accepted the offer. Normally, what should happen is when you completed your contract with your company, you simply have to go home. Or if the employer is not satisfied with your performance the contract is terminated and you are sent home before the contract is completed. This is a common sense! You are NOT in your own country, where you can either work or not to work, or do whatever you want. You are not a permanent resident here, you are not a citizen. You cannot live in Qatar “just because”. You have to remember that you are in Qatar only for work purpose. And once your work is over or terminated, you have to go home. Simple. As a next level, another option might be given to the employee. IF you want to find another job instead of going home, you should be allowed, but only after your contract is either completed or terminated. That would make sense.

Now. There are so many employees who are lazy, incompetent, stupid, etc. Just imagine if these employees started jumping from one place to another every few months, and there is no any tool to make them working properly. Once they are at the new place, they will start looking for something ‘BETTER” (as there is ALWAYS something better), instead of focusing on their duties. Once the patience of the employer comes to its end, employee is simply shifting to another place and start doing the same thing. Why the companies of the country, which this person doesn’t belong to, have to suffer from such idiots? The employee should not be allowed to shift to another company with no reason, before his contract is completed. If there is a legal reason (salary delay, working hours abuse, etc.) this is a Labour office’s cases and legal actions should be taken against such employers. But if the employee just used the “first employer” in order to come to qatar, and then wants to shift to another employer just because was offered 100 riyal more, it shouldn’t happen! Do not accept the offer in the first place if you don’t like it! Since you has accepted it, you signed the contract to work for this employer for the certain period, and you cannot change the job before this period is completed, without any valid reason. Simple as that. Contract is Contract!

What I think is some balance should be found. When the contract is completed or terminated by the employer, the employee shoudl be allowed to find another job without any "NOC letters", etc. Some other sensible rules should be implemented. But to cancel all rules and just to let people do whatever they want to do... it will create a lot of mess..

just as I would like my country to look at what gives UK citizens an advantage. I think it can work well either way (sponsorship or no sponsorship) if there is a stronger legal system in place that isn't swayed by corruption. I don't see that being the case in Qatar.

I think sponsorship as a whole works to the Qatari advantage as a means of controlling who comes in and avails themselves of the free services being offered. Clearly healthcare and education (for Arabic speaking natives) is very costly to provide to expats. I think Qataris would want to control who comes here and I can't blame them for it.

However, there clearly are abuses of the sponsorship system. My suggestion would be to keep the sponsorship system in place but allow people to transfer their sponsorship after working a full year of their contract. I think that is a legitimate amount of time for the sponsor to recoup their expense in bringing an expat here, and at the same time will send a message to sponsors that they have to provide good working conditions and decent wages to the expat or run the risk of losing them to a better offer.

The focus must be on sponsors/mandoobs that EXPLOIT their employees,with their "you do as i say or i cancel your visa" nonsense...nobody in the civilized world we live in should be able to exploit people like that in this day & age & that is what all the Gulf countries need to rid themselves of, if they want the world to treat with real respect & see them on an equal footing...until then,they will continue to be viewed as essentially rich human rights violators...& they want to rid themselves of that tag...H.H Sh.Hamad bin Jassim's statement might have something to do with that...

Well said Qatarisun!

hapy, In absence of sponsorship system they will be free to find other jobs..

but they are free to find better job PRIOR to coming to Qatar! what makes them accepting the offers, and then to complain about it? No one is forced to come here. It is OUR choice.

Now look at the system without sponsorship. the employee who is jumping from one employer to another every 3-5 months wouldn't look good either.. There is ALWAYS something better than each of us has in their hands. ALWAYS. If it makes you jumping like a flea from someone to another one who gives you few pennies more, sorry, for me it doesn't look good.. One has to be responsible for his/her decision. Jumping form employer to employer, from boyfriend to boyfriend, from husband to husband, from friend to friend, based on who gives you few extra ryials is prostitution.

If you don't like the offer don't accept it. If the contract is abused, file the complaint. Act like a civilized person. If you accept ANY offer to just to get into Qatar, and once you are here, right away start looking around for few extra pennies, this is YOU are the one who uses your employer, not the other way around.

can't believe people still get excited by this.I started hearing about this when I was in school. since then I have done my bachelors, worked for2 years, did masters, worked for another2 years, and am now looking overseas as there is just no scope for professional growth here. And they are still talking about it. Even if it does happen, it'll be something minor, not the kind what the majority of people hope for..

Posted by drmana yesterday and the subject is the headline news of the three Qatar english newspapers today.

it will not be a good move for expats. Let us hope that the old system continues. The new proposed system will end all scope of flexibility and

1) an employee will be required to complete his contract before shifting to a new company

2) an employee that does not intimate his employer of his intention of not continuing will have his contract automatically renewed (as in the case of tenancy agreements)

The proposal only removes the ministry interface, but rules remain practically the same.

Here's how it works. Anyone who deposits 20,000 dinars at the Commercial Registration Office is permitted to own a company without a Bahraini partner (either silent or active). That is all.

In the past, every company/business had to have a local partner.

If you as an employee work for this company, this no sponsorship deal means nothing to you. You remain an employee and you have to have a work permit etc.

this is not a good idea...please probe me wrong asap...lol

i guess for the last years and will keep on hearing it for dont know how many more years. By now they should have started it.

But as I have stated before, I am not so sure that all the answers lie in sponsorship being scrapped. After all, it does allow you a lot of control over who comes in and what they do when they are here. That's not all bad in my opinion. I also think you should be looking at what is best for Qataris and not worrying about us ex-pats. At least that is what I would want my country to do for its citizens.

One key area that could be addressed would be an easier solution to changing sponsors so that the country doesn't lose valuable employees who want to shift their employer. Other than that, I don't have too many complaints. But then, I have an excellent sponsor ;)

This is not the silver bullet everyone imagines it to be. There will still have to be restrictions .

Yes it's bad for the sponsors and the private sector. In fact, it's the international companies that will suffer most as they hold the well trained manpower.

The goverment sector on the other hand will benefit from scraping the sponsorship law in many ways you can't even imagine :)

Insha Allah ! Seeing is Believing !! Lets hope for the best !

All what was said previously were from unnamed soucres in the ministry of labor. But never did any official made any announcements.

Fingers Crossed....

I don't think it's such a good idea at the moment. Employee turnover will be huge.

cryspy, now that you know its not in funnies..what do you think?

the first thing i looked for, if the poster post this in funnies.

The pace at which the world order is changing the sponsors might themselves have to be sponsored in the not to distant future. Money cannot buy anything and everything and maybe the very people whom this guys take for granted may not want to get here anymore in the future as better prospects open up back home.

power corrupts...like nothing else...without this system,a lot of locals will feel "powerless" & they won't be too happy about it...

what of the hundreds or dare i say,thousands of locals who make their living by selling their "sponsorship"???...essentially they do nothing,usually not qualified to do anything better than sell visas,what becomes of them?...the Govt. will have to have a "rehabilitation scheme"(for want of a better word!) in place for this lot before scrapping the system!!!...

Yeah this has got to go. Well the locals playing around with you is one thing but imagine your very countryman at the HR dept. using the same policies to keep you in check and threatening you with cancellation of visa and so on. This sponsorship circus in general has led to a stunted growth of the development cycle of the employees

Don't expect anything to come of it.

OHH YEAH!!! THIS IS A MUST ...END OF DAYS FOR CRAZY SPONSORS!!! THEY DON"T LET YOU GROW!!!

LETS GET THIS ON!!!

NO DELAYS!!!

I'll believe this one when i see it...Bahrain did it because they had to not because they wanted to...NOBODY likes to give up power & this is WAY too much power to give up,not pointing fingers @ anyone,this is human nature & as things stand,Qatar doesn't really need to change things,of course there is the small issue of constant & daily human rights violations & the world recognition of this fact but only time will tell...we live in hope! :)...

This is the first time a Qatari official make an announcement about the sponsorship law.

And it's not any official :)

It's HBJ, HH the prime minister. I think it's only a matter of time for an Emiri Decree to be issued

Sorry to disagree with you. It is a matter of supply and demand. Even if all expatriates left Qatar today, others will be willing to take their place. Workers, especially from developing countries will always be willing to fill a vacancy at usually lower salary.

The main issue is to protect the worker rights whilst ensuring a fair mechanism for recreuitment and security.

Most important thing for Qatar and other Gulf countries to consider willbe whether they can continue to have economic growth in the absence of sponsorship system. Most large companies depend upon cheap labour which are forced to stay because of this system. In absence of sponsorship system they will be free to find other jobs. They will likely get better paid jobs, but profit margins will decrease. Secodnly, they may end up having a work force that cannnot find employment all the year round, many smaller companies want to hire labourer for few months (that time they have a contract).

Similarly the housemaids probably will find better oppurtunities in an open job market, raising their salaries (good for them).

About time, there are too many employers exploiting the current system

There are positives and negatives to the current system. A solution, benefiting all parties will be hard to find.

It will happen. They will probably wait to see how Bahrain and Kuwait fare before moving forward themselves.

it is good if qatar implement its ,lot of new opputunities will be explore.