Huge fines in draft law on Qatarisation Friday, 03 September 2010 04:46

DOHA: Private companies not conforming to the provisions of a proposed law on job nationalisation could face fines ranging from QR50,000 to QR100,000.

Repetition of the violation could mean doubling and even trebling of fines, suggests the draft of the proposed law.

The draft, which was discussed by the State Cabinet early last May, is finally with the Ministry of Labour, which is studying it and would forward it to the higher-ups after making the necessary changes.

The proposed law aims at helping effectively implement the decision of the Cabinet, taken several years ago, specifying the percentage of jobs that should be reserved for nationals.

A percentage has been specified for the private sector as well but employers have so far been dragging their feet on the issue citing a number of difficulties in hiring locals.

But the legislation, once implemented, would force private players to review their reluctance to employ citizens. Needless to say, the proposed law would apply equally to all government agencies — including ministries — as well as organisations in the joint sector.

While government departments and joint sector bodies have no dearth of citizens in their employ, private players need to repair their record on the issue of job quotas for nationals.

The draft proposes to arm labour ministry officials with judicial powers so they can enter the premises of any company — whether private or public — to conduct surprise checks to make sure the job quota requirements for citizens are being fulfilled.

The draft also proposes the formation of a grievances committee, before which prospective employers can present their woes for redress.

It is also suggested that a permanent committee for job nationalisation be set up. Its task would be to take policy decisions from time to time, aside from making sure that every agency concerned abides by the proposed law.

The draft proposes that Qatari job seekers who are not employable be hired and trained. This particular proposal, apparently, has been made with the private sector in mind.

Private employers are reluctant to hire nationals for a number of reasons: Citizens do not usually prefer to work in two shifts, they demand more salary and perks than expatriates, social security such as retirement benefits and soft long-term home loans need to be provided to Qatari employees, while expatriates do not enjoy such benefits. Employers who fail to provide job orientation training to Qatari employees would be fined QR10,000 to QR50,000. The fines could be doubled or even trebled if the violations are repeated.

The Peninsula

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