Qatar: Cabinet Approves New School Staff Benefits and Pension Rights

Al Sharq, 15 July 2025: Qatar’s Council of Ministers has issued Qatar Decision No. 23/2025, amending employment regulations for government school staff and addressing ongoing pension reform concerns.

The new decision repeals Article 14 of Qatar Decision No. 32/2019, which previously excluded certain allowances and bonuses from gross salary calculations during leave periods for school employees.

This latest amendment follows the implementation of Qatar Law No. 1/2022 on Issuing the Social Insurance Law, which replaced the previous pension legislation (Qatar Law No. 24/2002). However, the new regulations maintain existing limitations regarding end-of-service benefits calculations for the first 20 years of service.

Key changes include:

• Full inclusion of allowances and bonuses in gross salary calculations during leave periods
• Updated pension calculation methods
• Revised employment benefits for education sector staff.

The pension fund maintains its position that it bears no responsibility for service periods prior to its establishment in 2002, despite ongoing discussions about end-of-service benefit calculations for longer-serving employees.

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Qatar: Cabinet Approves New Laws on Areas Including Lawyers

Qatar Tribune, 3 July 2025: At a recent Cabinet meeting, several draft laws have been approved, including amendments to the Lawyers’ Law (Qatar Law No. 23/2006).

These amendments are designed to modernise the legal profession, ensuring alignment with international standards and improving practice quality, thereby legal practitioners across the nation.

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Qatar: Shura Council Approves Draft Law on Lost and Abandoned Property

Qatar Tribune, 17 June 2025: The Shura Council approved a draft law addressing the management of lost and abandoned property, advancing the legal framework for property handling in the state.

This proposed law, aimed at regulating the processes surrounding such property, has been crafted in its amended form alongside other legislative measures and forwarded to the esteemed government for further action.

The impacted parties include individuals and entities involved in property management, as well as government bodies responsible for implementation and enforcement. This legislation seeks to streamline legal procedures related to identifying, managing, and either returning or disposing of lost assets.

There will be new obligations for the respective governmental bodies to adopt mechanisms ensuring compliance with the new regulations, once it is enacted.

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Qatar: New Regulations for Acquiring Land for Recycling Factories

Al Arab, 8 June 2025: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has released regulations for obtaining land to establish recycling factories in Al-Afja, following the announcement of investment opportunities for private sector waste recycling projects.

Applications will be open until 21 August 2025, covering recycling industries such as wood, paper, plastic, glass, animal waste, textiles, food waste, electronic waste, and waste sorting.

Interested investors are encouraged to review the land allocation requirements for recycling activities. The new requirements included completing a form for licensing in the Al-Afja recycling industries area and submitting necessary documents, such as preliminary approval for an industrial project, a valid commercial registration, and a feasibility study.

The feasibility study must detail technical, environmental, and economic analyses, including factory plans, raw material sources, production capacity, environmental impact assessments, market evaluations, and agreements with suppliers. Previous experience in recycling industries will also be considered.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipality, has facilitated applications through the One-Stop-Shop platform, connecting investors with 18 government entities. This digital system allows for electronic submission, modification, signing, and payment of fees globally, streamlining the process of obtaining necessary permits and licenses.

The initiative aims to enhance operational efficiency, reduce time and costs for investors, and support comprehensive company establishment services. Investors can obtain all required licenses to commence business activities, with immediate approval upon completing application procedures. The service includes commercial name reservation, commercial registration issuance, and obtaining various licenses based on selected business activities.

For factory establishment, investors begin with commercial registration, followed by preliminary project approvals, land allocation, environmental permits, and industrial license issuance, enabling factory setup and industrial registration.

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Qatar: Cabinet Approves Amendments to Hayya Platform for Visitor Entry

The Peninsula, 14 May 2025: The Qatari Cabinet has approved a draft decision amending provisions of Qatar Cabinet Decision No. 12/2024 concerning the Hayya Platform.

This amendment aims to broaden the platform’s mandate to attract individuals with distinguished residencies, including investors, property owners, entrepreneurs, and talents in technology, science, creativity, sports, culture, and the arts.

It impacts the procedures for managing visitor entry to Qatar, facilitating smoother entry and residence processes for these targeted groups. By expanding the committee’s mandate, the amendment seeks to enhance Qatar’s attractiveness as a destination for investment and skilled talent, aligning with the country’s broader economic and cultural goals.

The legal changes ensure that the Hayya Platform can efficiently manage and streamline entry procedures for the specified groups.

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Qatar: Cabinet Approves Draft Traffic Law Legislation

Qatar Tribune, 8 May 2025: The Qatari Cabinet approved draft legislation for a new traffic law.

This legal decision is part of the Ministry of Interior’s strategy to regulate and develop traffic movement, improve traffic security, and adapt to advancements in infrastructure and automotive technology.

The draft legislation introduces updated mechanisms for detecting traffic violations, thereby serving the public interest. The law aims to align traffic regulations with the nation’s infrastructural developments and technological advancements, ensuring a safer and more efficient traffic system.

The draft law has been referred to the Shura Council for further deliberation.

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