The Qatar’s Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs (ALDSA) has announced the adoption of Law No. 17 of 2020 that sets the minimum wage of all workers, including domestic workers, at QAR 1,000 per month as a basic wage, as well as QAR 500 per month allocated by the employer for accommodation and QAR 300 per month for food expenses, unless the employer already provides adequate food or accommodation for the employee or domestic worker. Additionally, Qatar has also introduced Decree Law No. 18 of 2020 that allows workers to change employers.Moreover, the amendments to Qatar’s labour laws also provide for stricter penalties for employers who are not paying their workers’ wages and fail to provide adequate accommodation for their workers. The amendments as well support the creation of additional labour dispute resolution committees, improving the workers’ access to justice.
The Minister of ALDSA, HE Yousuf Mohamed Al Othman Fakhroo, said in a statement that:
“The State of Qatar is committed to creating a modern and dynamic labour market. In line with Qatar Vision 2030, these new laws mark a major milestone in this journey and will benefit workers, employers, and the nation alike.”
The Migrant Forum in Asia commend the efforts of the Government of Qatar in protecting the wages and rights of migrant workers, including domestic workers, which is the first of its kind in the Middle East. MFA also welcomes the abolition of the No-Objection Certificate (NOC), thereby allowing workers to change employers. As the new law will take effect after six months of its publication in Qatar’s Official Gazette, MFA looks forward to it being realized and for other countries to take similar initiatives that protect and promote the rights of migrant workers as well.
Source: MFA Secretariat
