Qatar takes initiative on online wage transfer
With issuance of the new wage protection law, salaries of about 550,000 workers of 11,000 companies have already been transferred to their bank accounts, a senior official of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has said.
The law has made it mandatory on all employers to transfer salaries of their employees to a financial institution.
The employers have been given a November 2 deadline to comply with the law.
The Ministry has set up a separate section with adequate staff for monitoring the wage transfer.
The wages must be paid before the 7th of every month as per the ministerial decision on wage protection.
The International Organization of Employers (IOE) team expressed that improvements have been made in the workers’ condition and companies have shown the commitment to create a suitable work environment and healthy accommodations.
The team members noted that the progress achieved by Qatar on wage protection and sponsorship system are added values to Qatar and support its position in the annual conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) next month.
"Qatar receives a large number of foreign workers who account for about 85 percent of the total population. They are working in all economic sectors and contributing to sustainable development of the state," said an official.
CharlieR: I do believe that the government is trying to implement goo processes . However this is useless unless you couple that with the will to enforce compliance and punish offenders
@MM, still a week? Not when you get paid on 28 day cycle. So October's pay for the last 28 days was due 22 October. I cannot believe a country can hold workers money...
Charlie, There is still a full week for the month to finish .......... it is in your favour to delay your withdrawal ..................... .... wives are waiting like anything to spend your hard earned money ..........
Charlie: Because that would be common sense. With automation , why should it take 6-8 days to confirm correct payment
My company posted salary to the Qatar Central Bank last Tuesday, payday was yesterday and no pay. Was told it will take 6-8 days for the QCB to confirm correct salary was paid. Why can't they post the pay and then check after? Before WPS, I was paid 100% on payday. Also, why doesn't QCB have a website/hot-line to call if you do not get paid???
I know one small company in UAE where the owner was keeping the ATM cards with him (of the workers) and deposit money and withdraw just to show the salary transaction. hope all loop-holes are fixed
They can do this already and lose their job.
Perhaps employees could report non-payments to the relevant authorities?
I wish if they make similar mechanism for "end of service" benefits also.
Tarui, Your comment has weight ................. ....................,Mon, 12.10.2015, 12.16 hrs
@MM,, you cant be serious.
The issue is,, every other noob is opening a company and hiring ppl. If you cant bring business, you cant pay salaries.
It would be better if your customer pays directly to your employees .......... Mon, 12.10.2015, 10.57 hrs ..
Let's hope that from next month they fall into line and the authorities monitor what happens
brit: theyre always late. for august pay we got it Sept 7th. For sept pay i dunno when we will get..
Kevin: is your company exempt or just late in complying ?
I wish they make all companies comply with law.. today is the 12th but we're still not yet paid for September's salary :(
MM: You miss my point. This is a great initiative and a step in the right direction. But how do the authorities ensure that the full amount is paid into the employee's account by the 7th of each month. Also, what happens , if the p[ayment is not made..
Brit, It will be done by the next 7th ......... ..... Mon, 12.10.2015, 07.33 hrs ..
Brit, if the workers can't open an account then non-payment is moot. The employers can then say the transfer isn't possible.
Mary Catherine: My concern is that there seems to be no mechanism mentioned regarding non payment or if full monies aren't paid ...
18 months later a first step is taken http://dohanews.co/workers-paid-directly-bank-accounts/ have the banks revised their account conditions to comply with the government directive?
Well done Qatar. Does anyone know what happens if the company fails to transfer the full salary by the 7th