NO more KAFALA system! NO more NOC!!
The Ministry Of Administrative Development, Labour, and Social Affairs [MADSLA] has announced major changes in the country’s labour law, allowing migrant workers to change jobs without their employer’s permission and introducing a non-discriminatory minimum wage.
Under Qatar's old "kafala" law (Arabic word for sponsorship) system, workers needed to obtain their employer's permission - a no-objection certificate (NOC) - before changing jobs.
With the announcement, workers can now change jobs before the end of their contract subject to a notice period.
"Either party must provide one month written notice in the first two years of the contract or two months’ notice beyond the second year of the contract," the MADLSA said in a statement.
To change jobs is now simple:
Give your current employer a written notice
International Labour Organization (ILO) which described the announcement as a "huge milestone in labour reform agenda for the state of Qatar".
Without No-Objection Certificates, what is the process for terminating a contract?
The No-Objection Certificate requirement to change jobs for employees has been eliminated. This will come into effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette.
Employees and employers will be able to terminate contracts, whether fixed-term or open-ended, subject to a minimum notice period
Either party must provide one month written notice in the first two years of the contract or two months’ notice beyond the second year of the contract.
If the contract is terminated without appropriate notice, the party terminating is obligated to pay the other party a compensation equal to the basic wage of the employee for the notice period.