Qatar is set to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, becoming the first Middle Eastern country to do so.
Payroll and Benefits Guide - Qatar
Fun Facts
Doha, the capital city of Qatar, is home to the famous Museum of Islamic Art, designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei.
The country is known for its futuristic skyline, with many impressive skyscrapers, including the iconic Torch Tower and the Aspire Tower.
Qatar is home to the world’s largest continuous sand desert, known as the “Rub’ al Khali” or the Empty Quarter.
Qatar has made significant investments in renewable energy and is one of the world leaders in solar power generation per capita.
Qatar Airways, the national airline of Qatar, is known for its exceptional service and has won numerous awards for being one of the world’s best airlines.
Contributions
Employee Payroll Tax
| Contribution Type | Rate |
| Qatar Labour Law Monthly Contribution | 5% |
| QFC Employment Regulation Monthly Contribution | 5% – 8% |
Employer Payroll Tax
| Contribution Type | Rate |
| Qatar Labour Law Monthly Contribution/QFC | 10% |
Payroll
Payroll Cycle
Frequency is typically month. The employer must make salary payments at least once a month.
13th Salary
There is no legal requirement for 13-month payments. Employers may issue bonuses at their discretion.
Work Hours and Week
Working week in Qatar is typically 48 hours,
8 hours per day and six days a week.
Saturday-Thursday
Overtime
All work above the standard working week is paid as overtime and regulated by employment contract/collective agreements etc.
Leave
Paid Time Off
In Qatar, the annual leave entitlement is dependent on the employee’s seniority
Public Holidays
The local government decides each year if holidays falling on the weekend are lost or moved to a working day in lieu.
Sick Days
An employee is entitled to two weeks of paid sickness compensated at 100% of the employee’s salary following the completion of three months of service with a single employer.
Maternity Leave
Female employees are entitled to 50 days of paid maternity leave in Qatar; the employee must take no fewer than 35 days of leave following the child’s birth.
Paternity Leave
There is no legal requirement for an employer to provide paternity leave to their employees. However, it is typical for an employer to offer five days’ leave to fathers following the birth of their child.
Parental Leave
There are no provisions in the law regarding parental leave.
Termination
Termination Process
The termination process varies according to the employment agreement and collective agreement in place and based on the type of contract and reason for termination. An employment contract can be terminated by either the employer or an employee; in both cases, a termination notice is mandatory to initiate the process of dismissal.
Notice Period
Notice periods are dependent on an employee’s seniority.
Severance Pay
End-of-service gratuity for workers with one to five years of service is three weeks’ pay, four weeks’ pay = five to 10 years service, five weeks’ pay = 10 to 20 years of service, six weeks’ pay = 20+ years of continuous service.
Probation Period
Probation Period
The probation periods may vary depending on the employment contract in place. However, the probation period cannot be more than six months.
VISA
VISA
When an employee only needs to work in Qatar for a short period of time, work permits are required depending on the type of work to be carried out.
In addition to Qatar visa, Qatar has implemented the “Qatarization,” a strategic initiative introduced by the government to provide employment for its citizens in the private and public sectors and prioritize Qatari nationals over foreign employees when it comes to job opportunities.
The 2022 UAE Labour Law will implement flexible working and shared jobs as well as shorter, fixed-term contracts. Moreover, private sector employees will now be allowed to stay in the UAE for 180 days after leaving their jobs.
VAT
The probation periods may vary depending on the employment contract in place. However, the probation period cannot be more than six months.