Will Workers Receive End-of-Service Benefits When Changing Jobs Under New Qatar Labour Law?

With the recently introduced major changes to the State of Qatar's labour market, all workers in the country are able to change employers without having to first obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC).

According to International Labour Organization, migrant workers can now change jobs before the end of their contract without requesting for an NOC from their former employers. With this, some residents raised concerns if they will be able to receive end-of-service benefits when changing jobs under the new law.

In an infographic shared by the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs (ADLSA), and under the new Qatar Labour Law, workers will be entitled to the following:

• Receive end-of-service benefits from the former employer (if they have been in their jobs for more than one year)

• Be paid for any due annual leave.

• Collect their pay in full during the notice period

• Obtain a new QID and health card (to be arranged and paid for by the new employer)

Workers should notify their employers through the electronic system of ADLSA:

• Give 1 month notice if in current job for 2 years or less

• Give 2 months notice if in current job for more than 2 years

During probation

• Workers should give at least a one-month notice through ADLSA's electronic system.

• The new employer should compensate the former employer with an agreed payment that does not exceed the equivalent of 2 months of the worker's basic wage.

Note:

• If the employer has failed to fulfill his/her legal obligations, the worker will not be bound to observe a notice period in order to change jobs.

• If there is a non-complete clause in the employment contract, the worker will not be able to change jobs within the same economic sector for a period of one year after leaving the job.

• Workers will not incur any fees to change jobs.

To change jobs, visit https://bit.ly/ADLSA-ENS