Labor Force

Qatar's labor force consists primarily of expatriate workers. With a total estimated population of 744,000 and Qatari’s constituting no more than one fourth of this number, the role of expatriates in the economy is very important. The Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Civil Service and Housing Affairs’ Department of Labor regulate recruitment of expatriate labor.

The largest group of foreign workers comes from South Asia. Recently, the Government has begun to diversify the sources of expatriate labor, increasing the percentage of workers from outside this region. Qatar's plan to develop its own manpower resources continues to receive attention at all government levels.

In May 2004, Qatari passed a new labor law which allows Qatari workers to right to strike, to form worker’s committees and to join international labor organizations with ministerial approval. Strikes are forbidden in vital industries including oil and gas, water and power, transport, communications and hospitals. Under the new law, all workers have the right to conduct collective negotiations over all work-related issues through the formation of joint committees with employers. Where workers’ committees exist, they will represent the interest of all employees; in other cases, provided there are 30 or more employees, they may directly elect representatives.

Where joint committees cannot resolve disputes, they must be submitted to the Labor Department in the Ministry of Civil Service Affairs and Housing for mediation. If still unresolved, they go to a “Committee of Settlement” composed of representatives of the Ministry, employer and employees. If still unresolved, disputes will then be brought before an Arbitration Committee headed by a judge, and composed of representatives of the Minister, the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Qatar General Union of Workers.

It is common practice in Qatar for expatriate workers to be provided accommodation, end of service benefits and homeward passage allowance, in addition to salaries. There is no minimum wage regulation. While salaries and wages are negotiable, end of service benefits are subject to three different laws.

Qatar has become increasingly active in the International Labor Organization and is currently drafting a new labor law.