New Law Prioritizes Local Employment in the Private Sector

18 September 2024 - In continuation to the recent legislation introduced by the Qatar Ministry of Labour (MoL), which focuses on the nationalization of jobs in the private sector, there have been some additional developments. The MoL in Qatar has recently approved a draft law aimed at promoting the employment of Qatari nationals in the private sector. This law introduces obligations for employers to prioritize eligible Qatari nationals and children of Qatari women married to foreign nationals (who are not considered Qatari citizens) over foreign applicants. This is similar to labor market testing obligations seen in other countries.

To comply with this law, employers will need to advertise job vacancies on online job portals, such as the newly launched 'Ouqoul' platform, within a month of the vacancy arising. Furthermore, employers must notify the MoL about any new hires, whether Qatari or foreign, within 60 days of the employment contract's commencement date. They will also need to submit biannual reports detailing their total workforce. Non-compliance with these regulations may result in significant fines and potential imprisonment.

The law will apply to private business owners, commercial companies (including state-owned and private firms), and private non-profit organizations in Qatar, among others. However, companies involved in petroleum exploration, production, and petrochemicals are expected to be exempt, allowing them more operational flexibility.

Deloitte’s view

This new draft law marks a notable change in Qatar's employment landscape, particularly in the private sector. It underscores the government's commitment to increasing the participation of Qatari nationals in the workforce.

To further encourage the employment of Qataris in the private sector, the government will provide financial support to Qatari employees and their employers. More detailed regulations related to this nationalization plan, including a list of positions expected to be reserved for Qataris, will be published soon.

Employers will need to adapt their recruitment strategies to comply with these new regulations. Deloitte will continue to monitor these developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Contacts

Our immigration experts listed below would be happy to discuss the above matters in more detail or support you through a further discussion on your immigration requirements.

Hadi Allawi
hallawi@deloitte.com

Mohammed Haque
mhaque@deloitte.com

Nutan Patel
nupatel@deloitte.com

Syed Mansoor
mansyed@deloitte.com