Qatar

Stiffer punishment for runaway workers 

The Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI), an umbrella organization of several Qatari companies, proposed a charter that will punish absconding workers, who “are becoming a threat to social and national security.”  Member-companies will be asked to sign and commit to the charter.

Authorities are considering imposing a fine of QR50,000 to companies employing and sheltering absconding or runaway workers, up from the current fine of QR9,000. The proposal is currently under study by a committee consisting of members from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Interior and the QCCI.

Provisions of the draft sponsorship law  

The draft of the new sponsorship law contains several changes that will revamp the permit system and grant more powers to the minister in-charge.  It will be considered illegal when a sponsor retains the passports of foreign workers, unless both sides agree that these will be handed over to the sponsor.  The draft law also seeks to grant the minister the authority to allow a change of sponsorship and to deport or detain residents for valid reasons.

The draft provides that a residence permit can be cancelled under three conditions: the provision of incorrect or false documents; if a  worker’s stay is seen as a threat to national security, public health, morality and the economy; and if a worker is at a job other than what was stated in the contract.

Sources: “Firms likely to reject runaway workers soon,” The Peninsula, 3 April 2008; “Easy exit,” The Peninsula, 18 April 2008; “Draft sponsorship law gives ministers wide powers,” The Peninsula, 19 April 2008; “QR50, 000 fine for hiring runaways,” Bahrain Tribune, 24 April 2008