By lifting exit permit system for migrant workers covered under labour law, Qatar has proved its sincerity to its commitment of safeguarding rights of expatriates for which the country has already taken dozens of initiatives in the recent years.
Fresh amendments in country’s entry and exit permit system for expatriates has bestowed a new distinction to Qatar in regional countries prompting worldwide admiration for the State.
Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued the Law No. 13 of 2018, amending certain provisions of the Law No. 21 of 2015 regulating the entry, exit and residency of expatriates.
The amendment stipulates that the expatriates under the labour law have right to leave the country temporarily or permanently without exit permit while his work contract is valid. The law further stipulates that the employers have the right to submit a list of employees who require prior permit to leave the country to the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs.
The request must indicate clearly the reasons and list must not exceed 5% of the company’s employees to take approval before leaving the country as per the nature of their works.
International Labour Organization (ILO) lauded the new legislation terming it as “a significant step in upholding the fundamental rights’ of migrant workers in Qatar.
“The ILO welcomes the enactment of Law No. 13, which will have a direct and positive impact on the lives of migrant workers in Qatar. This first step towards full suppression of exit permits is a clear sign of commitment by the Government of Qatar to labour reforms and a key milestone in the process,” said Houtan Homayounpour, the Head of the ILO Project Office for the State of Qatar.
Following the issuance of new legislation by HH the Amir, the government has stepped up efforts to implement new amendments in the law regulating entry, exit and residency of the expatriates.
The Ministry of Interior (MoI) and the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs (MADLSA) have announced to set up joint panels to prepare mechanisms to simplify the procedures for implementing the new law.
Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs H E Dr Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi said that new law is part of a slew of legislations issued by Qatar to protect the rights of workers adding that the new law complements the previous legislations issued to protect workers’ rights and provide them a safe work environment.
He said that these measures started with Wage Protection System (WPS) through which all employees get their salaries through the banks.
