Under Qatar's old "kafala" law (Arabic word for sponsorship) system,  workers needed to obtain their employer's permission - a no-objection certificate (NOC) - before changing jobs.

With the announcement,  workers can now change jobs before the end of their contract subject to a notice period.

"Either party must provide one month written notice in the first two years of the contract or two months’ notice beyond the second year of the contract," the MADLSA said in a statement. 

To change jobs is now simple:

Give your current employer a written notice 

 International Labour Organization (ILO) which described the announcement as a "huge milestone in labour reform agenda for the state of Qatar".

Labour market changes by State of Qatar are welcome

Thy effectively dismantle the kafala sponsorship system and will give workers more freedom and protection and employers more choice

Shows what dialogue among governments, workers & employers can achieve https://t.co/wyXfNo8p4d

— Guy Ryder (@GuyRyder) August 30, 2020

Without No-Objection Certificates, what is the process for terminating a contract?

The No-Objection Certificate requirement to change jobs for employees has been eliminated. This will come into effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette.

Employees and employers will be able to terminate contracts, whether fixed-term or open-ended, subject to a minimum notice period

Either party must provide one month written notice in the first two years of the contract or two months’ notice beyond the second year of the contract.

If the contract is terminated without appropriate notice, the party terminating is obligated to pay the other party a compensation equal to the basic wage of the employee for the notice period.