*Amir issues Law No 13 of 2018, amending certain provisions of Law No 21 of 2015
*Workers covered under Labour Law can leave the country without any exit permit
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on Tuesday issued a law that allows expatriate workers, covered under the Labour Law, to leave the country temporarily or for good without any exit permit within the work contract duration.
The Amir issued Law No 13 of 2018, amending certain provisions of Law No 21 of 2015 regulating the entry, exit and residency of expatriates, the official Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.
As per the amendment, Article 7 of Law No 21 of 2015 has been replaced with a provision which stipulates that an expatriate worker covered under Labour Law No 14 for 2004 has the right to temporarily exit the country, or for good, at any time throughout the duration of his/her employment contract without an exit permit.
However, an employer may submit a prior and reasoned application to the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs (MADLSA) with the names of the employees that he deems necessary to obtain his pre-approval before leaving the country due to the nature of work of that employee.
The percentage of such workers shall not exceed 5% of the total number of employees. In case the MADLSA approves the application, the entities concerned shall be notified.
As for expatriate workers who do not fall under Labour Law No 14 for 2004, a decision issued by HE the Minister of Interior shall specify the procedures and standards for exiting the country.
The new law also stipulates that an expatriate worker, who is not allowed to exit the country for any reason, can approach the Expatriate Exit Grievances Committee. For this, HE the Minister of Interior shall issue a decision regarding its formation, jurisdiction, procedures and work mechanism.
The committee shall decide on grievances within three working days.
The new law is effective starting from the day following its publication in the official gazette.
