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Qatar: Qatar’s Emir has issued Qatar Decree-Law No. 19/2020 and also Qatar Decree-Law No. 18/2020

05/09/202004/09/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Emir has issued Qatar Decree-Law No. 19/2020 amending Qatar Law No. 21/2015 on the entry, exit and residency of expatriates in the country. The Emir also issued Qatar Decree-Law No. 18/2020 amending Qatar Law No. 14/2004 (the country’s Labour Law). Under the amendment, it will be easier for employees to transfer from one employer to another without the consent of their employer being given first. It is hoped it will increase competition and allow employees to change employer. The Decree-Laws will be published in the Official Gazette and will come into force the day after they are published.

News developments

Qatar: Quality Mark Launched

31/08/202031/08/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Interior Minister has announced the launch of the Qatar Quality Mark. It is aimed at promoting national products and making them more competitive regionally and globally. It is also aimed at supporting development plans and enhancing consumer protection. The first Qatar Quality Mark was given Al Qataria for Production of Reinforcing Steel. They were the first entity to meet the criteria set by the Qatar General Organisation for Standards and Metrology to get the mark. They were one of several organisations to apply. The Qatar Quality Mark is a badge which is given by the Qatar General Organisation for Standards and Metrology and is used to advertise the licensed commodity during the two years the license is valid for. It provides evidence the good or goods have met the approved national standards and has been examined and tested by an internationally recognised certified laboratory. The badge is difficult to remove or be obscured.

Weekly Spotlight

Saudi Arabia: Anti-Commercial Concealment Law Approved

24/08/202024/08/2020
by Nawell Bel Hhaddou

Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers has approved a new Anti-Commercial Concealment Law. Under the law, violators will be jailed for five years and fined five million Riyals. It will also protect whistleblowers in anti-commercial concealment cases, according to the Kingdom’s Commerce Ministry.

The relevant Government agencies will be able to limit business licensing fraud or cover-up offences. They will also be able to demand entities which issue licenses to businesses follow up on them and inform the Commerce Ministry of any suspicious practices.

The Law was approved by the Shoura Council last month and will also see whistleblowers given up to 30% of the fines imposed on violators where this is applicable. It will be given once the case has been resolved. Those who report any fraudulent activities will be exempt from penalties or have the penalties commuted.

The relevant entities will be able to use technology to prove violations through ‘electronic evidence’ in addition to other evidence. The system also allows commuting or exempting from penalties for those who report violations.

The aim is to protect consumers and SMEs.

The approval of the law follows an announcement earlier this week that an anti-commercial fraud committee was going to be established.

News developments

Qatar: National Employment Platform Launched

23/08/202023/08/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Ministry has announced the launch of the National Employment Platform or Kawader. It displays all available Government and private sector jobs in Qatar. From 24 August 2020, the platform will be available for jobseekers to enter, register and create CVs, and from September, jobseekers will be able to view jobs and choose the right job based on their qualifications and experience. Registration on the platform will be available to male and female citizens who do not hold jobs first to enable them to look and apply for jobs as well as enabling children of Qatari women to look and apply for private sector jobs.

Weekly Spotlight

Qatar: Labour Ministry Launches Online Work Permit Service

17/08/202017/08/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Ministry has announced it is going to launch two new services, including a work permit service on Sunday. The work permit service will be available to those who are on the residency of their relatives or who are changing profession. This will benefits residents who want to issue a new work permit or renew, cancel or get a replacement for one. It is part of the Ministry’s efforts to provide more services online to improve processing times and allow services to be provided remotely.

It will also benefit employees who are not directly recruited by employers and want to contract with it for regular and main professions with supporting documents attached, particularly if sub-professions in line with the terms and conditions. Those applying to change professions or job titles will have to provide their resident ID card. It can also be provided by the relevant party or the authorised signatory providing the documents required are attached.

The Ministry has prepared an online directory which the relevant person or employer can refer to via the website or through the Ministry’s social media platforms to learn about service requirements, terms, conditions and procedures.

News developments

Qatar: Illegal Food Seizures

09/08/202007/08/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

In Qatar, the Health Monitoring Section of Al Sheehaniya Municipality has seized illegal food from a number of food outlets in Umm Al Zubar. The outlets had been running without the appropriate licenses. The Ministry of Municipality and Environment has stated the measures were taken during an inspection campaign in line with Qatar Law No. 8/1990 on regulating food items.

News developments

Qatar: 80% of Employees Allowed to Return to Workplaces

03/08/202003/08/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Council of Ministers has approved amendments to the decision on reducing the number of private and public sector employees working in their workplaces. Under the amendment, up to 80% of employees, depending on their employer’s needs can return to their workplaces. The other 20% should continue working from home. The change applies from 28 July.

News developments

Qatar: Commercial Stores Decision Amended

24/07/202024/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Council of Ministers has approved a draft law to amend Qatar Decision No. 70/2006 on commercial shops in residential areas. It was proposed by the country’s Trade and Industry Minister. The Council also considered a report from the committee for regulating the ownership of properties by non-Qatari nationals. The committee is responsible for suggesting areas where non-Qatari nationals can own property and the rules and conditions for their ownership.

News developments

Qatar: New Qatarisation Platform to be Launched

20/07/202020/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

The Assistant Undersecretary of Administrative Development Affairs at Qatar’s Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Ministry has announced a new Qatarisation platform is going to be launched. It will allow Qataris looking for jobs to identify available jobs. It will also allow private companies to place vacant and required jobs. It is aimed at implementing a draft decision to raise the proportion of Qataris to 60% in State-owned companies or which the State contributes to as well as other entities subject to the Retirement and Pension Law.

News developments

Qatar: Percentage of Qataris in Private Sector to be Increased

11/07/202010/07/2020
by Benjamin Filaferro

Qatar’s Cabinet has approved a draft Ministerial Decision to increase the minimum percentage of Qataris in the private sector to 60%. It will apply to Qataris working in State-owned companies or its subsidiaries or other entities who are subject to the Retirement and Pension Law. It will also increase the percentage of Qataris in human resources departments to 80% in those entities. Children of Qatari women will be treated as Qataris. It was proposed by the Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Minister. It is aimed at implementing Qatar Law No. 14/2004 (the Labour Law).