Abolition of "Kefala" and Proposed Qatar Labor Law Reform

May 29, 2014POEA MARKET UPDATE NO. 07-14ABOLITION OF "KEFALA" AND PROPOSED QATAR LABOR LAW REFORMQatar recently unveiled its plan to abolish the prevailing Kefala (sponsorship system) and to amend its Labor Law to address some of the issues concerning the rights of migrant workers. The proposed amendments will still pass through a series of consultations with the internal and external stakeholders, with the Qatar Chamber of Commerce, Council of Ministers and then to the government for its consideration and approval. This means it will still go through the usual legislation process before it will be referred back to the government for final approval. There is no timeline as to when it will be ratified and implemented. The following are the salient features of the proposed amendments:1. The Kefala system will be replaced with a system based on employment contracts; CAIHTE2. The exit permit system which requires the consent of the employers before an employee leaves the country will be replaced by an automated system called the "Matarash 2" e-government system through the Ministry of Interior...