I can see this will just result in fewer 'western' expats bothering to get an RP, or in the longer term even bothering to see Qatar as a viable work location.

I can tell you that as an employer it is getting more and more difficult to entice top quality staff to work here (salaries are not that good, high living costs, reluctance of professionals to accept idea of being controlled by 'sponsorship')

"only mad dogs and englishmen go out in the midday sun"