FAQS WITH RESPECT TO PAKISTANI MANPOWER AND THEIR RELATED MATTERS IN THE STATE OF QATAR

Question No 1: How the manpower demand attested by CWA wing Qatar?

The following documents having the requisite information are required to be submitted to the CWA Wing for manpower demand attestation.

1. Demand Letter, Power of Attorney, Sample Employment Contract and Undertaking for Quarantine, Covide-19 test expenses and payment of salary,           food, accommodation & medical, if pandemic here again, on letterhead pad of       the company attested from MOFA and Chamber of Commerce Qatar.
2. Minimum Wage according to Qatar Labour Law as QAR (Basic-1000+Food- 300 + Accommodation-500).
3. Visa Approval Tracking number.
4. Establishment/Computer Card.
5. QID of the sponsor.
6. Copy of CR of the Company.
7. Business card of HR Manager of the Company/Contact Number and Email of HR Manager.
8. Contact Number and Email of Qatari Manpower Agency
9. Fee QAR.33 for each document/demand +QAR 3(POS charges).

In case of Short Term Visas:

• Copy of Contract Award Letter.

1. Copy of Letter of Assistance (LOA).
2. Copy of Letter addressed to Immigration Dept. of State of Qatar for approval of visas.
3. Visa Approval Tracking Number for short term visas.

Question No 2 : How to change of sponsorships/jobs?

1. Applicant has to submit an application online for change of jobs through Ministry of Labour’s (MoL) Electronic Notification System. Go to the Ministry’s website and print a copy of the “Change Employer” form. Fill in the form with all the requested information about yourself and about your new employer, and then sign it. Also ask your new employer to put the official stamp of the company and sign the form.

https://www.mol.gov.qa/admin/EServices/Change%20Employer%20Form1.pdf

1. Take a picture or scan the complete & signed form, and log onto the MoL’s electronic notification system using your Qatari ID (QID) number and your mobile phone number. Remember the mobile phone number you use to log in must be linked to your QID. Once you have entered the system, upload the completed & signed “Change Employer” form.
2. Once applicant submits his application, the system will generate an EC (Employer Change) number that will appear on screen. The EC number is very important, so make sure you write it down for record purpose.
3. Once the application for change of sponsorship has been approved by the Ministry, applicant will receive an SMS from the Ministry confirming change of jobs and notify him about his notice period. Both the current employer and new employer will also receive an SMS. If applicant has worked with his current employer for two years or less, your notice period will be 1 month. If applicant has worked with his current employer for more than two years, his notice period will be 2 months. The end of notice period will be indicated in the SMS from the Ministry. You have to continue working for your current employer during the notice period.
4. Within three months from the end of your notice period, your new employer has to submit the details of your employment contract through MoL’s Digital Authentication System for a Multi-lingual Employment Contract. This will generate your new employment contract, which both you and your new employer need to sign. Once signed by both of you, the new employer will upload it on to the MoL’s digital platform for authentication. Your new employer must give you a copy of the contract authenticated by the MoL. You can also download it from MoL’s website.
5. Finally, your new employer will log into the Ministry of Interior’s Metrash services webpage to request a new QID for you. Your new employer must provide you with the new QID.

 

Question No 3: How to change Jobs during Probation Period?

It may be stipulated in your employment contract that you shall be subject to a probation period agreed upon with your employer. However, this probation period must not exceed six months from the date of commencement of your work, and you cannot be subject to more than one probation period with the same employer. You may terminate the employment contract within the probation period, provided you comply with the following:

1. Submit your application to change jobs through MoL’s electronic notification system as described above at least one month before you plan to leave your job.
2. Your new employer must compensate your current employer a portion of the recruitment fees and one way air ticket at the level that was agreed to by the current and new employers, though not exceeding two months of your current basic wage.
3. Upon the Ministry’s approval to change jobs, you will receive an SMS from MoL confirming your change of jobs and notifying you about your notice period. The end date of your notice period will be indicated in the SMS. You must continue to work with your current employer till the end date unless otherwise agreed with your current employer.

Question No 4: What Happens If Applicant does not complete the Notice Period with his Current Employer?

If you decide to stop working before the end of your notice period, you will have to pay your current employer for every day of the notice period you do not work. This is calculated as an amount equivalent to your basic wage for the remaining part of the notice period on a pro rata basis. For example: If you want to stop working two weeks before the end of your notice period and your basic wage is QAR 1,500 per month, you will have to pay your employer QAR 750 to terminate the contract legally.

Question No 5: Can my Current Employer Cancel my QID after I Submit my application to Change Jobs?

Once you have submitted your application to change jobs through MoL’s electronic notification system, your current employer cannot cancel your QID or file a false absconding case.

Question No 6: What Can I Do if My Current Employer Cancels My QID before I Submit My Application to Change Jobs?

In case your current employer cancels your QID before you have submitted your application then you need to first submit a complaint either through the MoL’s Unified Platform for Complaints and Whistleblowers or by going to the MoL. Upon the Ministry’s review of your complaint, you will have to submit a signed letter in Arabic addressed to the Head of the Labour Relations Department requesting to reactivate your QID. In the letter, you should include a brief explanation on why you are requesting for your QID to be re-activated. Make sure to mention your QID and mobile phone numbers in the letter. In addition to the signed letter, you should also submit a copy of your QID, copy of the SMS notifying about the cancellation of your QID; and copy of the new job offer. Remember to keep a copy for these documents for your record. MoL will coordinate with the Ministry of Interior to reactivate your QID. You can check the status of your QID through Metrash.

Once your QID is re-activated you can then to apply to change jobs using MoL’s electronic notification system.

Question No 7: Can I just Leave Qatar and Come Back Again to Start a New Job?

If you leave Qatar without giving a notification or completing your notice period, you will not be able to return to work in Qatar for one year. In order to avoid such a situation, you should follow the below procedures:

If you wish to leave Qatar during your probation period:

1. You should notify your employer through MoL’s electronic notification system. The notice period should be agreed with your employer but should not be more than two months.
2. If you wish to leave without finishing your notice period, you should pay compensation to your employer amounting to your basic wage for the remaining part of the notice period, provided that this amount does not exceed two months basic wages.

If you wish to leave Qatar after your probation period:

1. If you have worked with the employer for two years or less, you have to notify your employer one month prior to the termination of the employment contract, through MoL’s electronic notification system.
2. If you have worked with the employer for more than two years, you have to notify your employer two months prior to the termination of the employment contract, through MoL’s electronic notification system.
3. If you wish to leave Qatar without observing the above notice period, you should pay the employer a compensation amounting to your basic wage for the remaining part of the notice period.

Question No 8: How can applicant lodge a labour complaint in the State of Qatar?

The Qatar Government has provided many channels to lodge Labour complaint. Applicant can lodge complaint through any of the following channels:-

1. In-person: Applicant can visit the Ministry of Labour Office, either in Al-Khore (only for men), Industrial Area or Al Huda Tower (only for ladies to raise complaint in person. Evidence of mistreatment and violations must be provided while lodging a complaint.

 

1. Online: Applicant can lodge a complaint online at the following address

https://www.mol.gov.qa/En/Services/Pages/ServiceDetails.aspx?itemid=7

1. “Amerni mobile application: Applicant can also lodge complaints through the ‘Amerni App’. This app has electronic services in 33 different languages and enables you to submit your labour complaint. App can be downloaded from Google store and apple store.

 

1. Labour Dispute Settlement Committees: Applicant can lodge a complaint through The Labour Dispute Settlement Committee. This Committee operate to improve employee’s access to justice. When dispute arises, employees and employers first present the dispute to the Ministry, which will take the necessary measures to resolve the issue amicably and examine the dispute raised within a period not exceeding seven days. When a complaint is raised the Labour Dispute Settlement Committee, the Committee arbitrates all disputes and its decision is issued with immediate enforcement within a period that does not exceed three weeks:-

 

SMS: 92727

Helpline: 16008

Email: LBR-complaints@adlsa.gov.qa

Website: https://www.adlsa.gov.qa./en

Note Applicant can check the status of his labour complaint: https://e.adlsa.gov.qa/labourComplaints/Default.aspx

 

1. National Human Rights Committee: Applicant can also lodge a complaint to the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) at the following address

https://nhrc-qa.org/en/submit-a-complaint/

NHRC Telephone: 0097444048844
NHRC SMS Number : 119
NHRC E-mail: c@nhrc.org.qa
NHRC  Fax: 0097444444013

 Question No.9: What is the process of Labour Dispute Resolution Mechanism?

The basic guide for workers of the Labour dispute resolution system is attached as under:

Question No.10: How to enquire the authentication of issued visa in the State of Qatar?

The issued visas in the State of Qatar can be verified online by provision of visa number / passport number from the Ministry of Interior, Qatar. Applicant can check the authenticity of visa at the following address:

https://portal.moi.gov.qa

 

Question No.11: What is the concept of Azad Visa?

It is an illegal phenomenon under the Labour Laws of Qatar. Like other Gulf countries, in Qatar, many Pakistanis are working in Qatar on Azad Visa. Under the law, no one can work with other employer/company/kafeel but many Pakistanis are working on these illegal set-ups which is popularly known as Azad Visa. During odd situations, Azad visa holders cannot challenge their wages/earnings through legal means and even face deportation in extreme situations. It is generally observed that almost all workers know and understand the consequences of Azad Visas but again they prefer to come on these visas so that they are not bound in one company/employer and may work as per their convenience. Moreover, many Pakistani obtain such visas and start their small business activities like supply of daily wagers, transport vehicles, constructions related machinery etc. However, their businesses are at high risks because they cannot declare the ownerships of such items on their own names. Therefore, in odd situations, they cannot claim legally their business interests

Question No.12: How can applicants get work visa in Qatar?

All available jobs in the State of Qatar for Pakistanis are uploaded on the website of Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (https://beoe.gov.pk/foreign-jobs). Applicant can apply for the job matching to his /her qualification on the lines prescribed for the job by making contact with the authorized Overseas Employment Promoter (OEP). Moreover, many corporations / companies like Qatar Airways; Ashghal etc. recruit employees directly by advertising jobs on their websites. Applicant has to apply directly for jobs according to their matching qualification. Furthermore, many workers get work visa through their relatives / close friends who are already working in State of Qatar.

Question No.13: Can visit visa be converted into work visa in Qatar?

As per Qatar Labour Laws, a visit visa cannot be converted into work visa in the State of Qatar.

Question No.14: What is the recruitment mechanism in State of Qatar from Pakistan?

Any Pakistani national intending to come to Qatar for employment purpose has to complete all requirements including signing / submission of employment contract, medical examination and other formalities through Qatar Visa Center (QVC) at Islamabad or Karachi. In order to obtain work visa for Qatar first applicant has to secure a job from foreign company either through OEP or directly. Afterwards, he has to visit Qatar Visa Centre (QVC) where applicant will sign the agreement and submit required documents for job. Next step is medical examination conducted by QVC, if medical test comes fit, bio-metric verifications are carried out. QVC will ask the employer to apply for visa. Once the visa is approved the employer will provide tickets and bear the quarantine cost (if any).