Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs
The State of Qatar has adopted a minimum wage, and the minimum wage has been adopted to improve the standard of living of workers and their families in their countries of origin. The new minimum wage will also contribute to making the workforce in the State of Qatar more skilled and productive.
What is the new minimum wage, when will it come into effect, and how will the salary, overtime and end-of-service gratuities be calculated on the basis of it .. Here are the answers to these questions
*** Basic information for workers about the new minimum wage:
What is the new minimum wage?
When the minimum wage comes into effect, the employer will be legally obligated to pay a basic wage of not less than 1,000 Qatari riyals per month and to provide you with adequate housing and food, but the employer may prefer to pay you an additional amount that enables you to secure food and housing for yourself.
Therefore, the minimum wage is three different rates:
– If the employer provides you with adequate food and housing (that is, you do not pay for housing and food), you are entitled to a basic wage of not less than 1,000 Qatari riyals.
– If the employer provides you with adequate housing but does not provide you with food, you are entitled to a food allowance of not less than 300 Qatari riyals in addition to the basic wage of no less than 1000 Qatari riyals, in this case you will get at least 1300 One Qatari Riyal monthly.
– If the employer does not provide you with housing or food, you are entitled to a food allowance of not less than 300 Qatari riyals and a housing allowance of not less than 500 Qatari riyals in addition to the basic wage of no less than 1000 Qatari riyals, in this case you will get At least 1,800 Qatari riyals per month.
Does the minimum wage apply to all workers in Qatar?
Yes, the minimum wage applies to all workers, regardless of their nationalities or the type of work they do, including women and men who work at home.
When does the minimum wage come into effect?
It comes into effect 6 months after the new law was published in the Official Gazette.
How will the overtime be calculated?
When the new minimum wage comes into effect, the overtime calculation must be based on at least the new minimum basic wage. The rate can be higher based on the provisions of your employment contract.
How will the end of service gratuity be calculated?
In the event that the contract stipulates that it will expire after the entry into force of the new minimum wage, the calculation of the end of service gratuity must now be based on no less than the new basic minimum wage.
Does the new law apply to those who earn less than the minimum?
Yes, after the new minimum wage comes into effect, the new law will apply to you. The law does not require you to sign a new contract with the employer in order to get the new wage.
Will the wage be affected if the worker receives an amount that exceeds the minimum wage?
Not necessarily if your basic salary plus food and housing is higher then the employer is not obligated to increase your salary
Can an employer reduce the salary to the new minimum wage?
If the employer tries to reduce your salary to the minimum wage, it is considered a breach of contract and you can file a complaint.
What do I do if I receive a wage below the minimum wage after it comes into effect?
You can raise this issue with the employer and inform the Ministry of Administrative Development and Labor. A complaint can be submitted at the Labor Relations Department or by calling the hotline (16008).
*** Basic information for employers about the new minimum wage:
The State of Qatar has adopted a non-discriminatory minimum wage, and this step is a significant achievement in the agenda for labor reform and the transition towards a knowledge-based economy, which is included in the Qatar Vision 2030. The new minimum wage will encourage investment in a more skilled and productive workforce, and it will also boost the commitment and enthusiasm of workers.
What is the new minimum wage?
When the minimum wage comes into effect, it will be legally binding that you pay your workers a basic wage of at least 1,000 Qatari riyals per month and provide them with adequate housing and food. But you might choose to pay them an extra amount to enable them to secure food and housing on their own?
There are three different rates for minimum wages:
** In the event that you provide adequate food and housing, “that is, you do not ask the worker to pay for housing and food.” You must pay the worker a basic wage of at least 1,000 Qatari riyals.
** If you provide adequate housing but do not provide food, you must pay the worker a housing allowance of not less than 300 Qatari riyals in addition to the basic wage of no less than 1000 Qatari riyals. In this case, the worker will receive a minimum of 1,300 Qatari riyals per month.
** If neither housing nor food is provided, you must pay the worker a food allowance of not less than 300 Qatari riyals and a housing allowance of not less than 500 Qatari riyals in addition to the basic wage of not less than 1000 Qatari riyals.
In this case, the worker will receive a minimum of 1,800 Qatari riyals per month.
Does the minimum wage apply to all workers in Qatar?
Yes, the minimum wage applies to all workers, regardless of their nationality or the sector in which they work. It also applies to the sectors covered by the labor law, including domestic workers.
When does the minimum wage come into effect?
The minimum wage comes into effect six months after the new law is published in the Official Gazette.
How will the minimum wage be enforced?
The wages of workers covered by the labor law must be paid in accordance with the provisions of the Ministerial Resolution on the Wages Protection System (Ministerial Resolution No. 4 of 2015. ” The WPS will monitor any instances in which workers receive a basic wage below the legal minimum. Labor inspectors will also monitor wage payment practices and ensure that housing standards meet minimum legal requirements.
The penalty for non-compliance is a fine ranging between 2000 and 6000 Qatari riyals per worker and each case or imprisonment for a maximum of one month. Companies will also be prevented from obtaining government services until they pay workers their owed contributions.
The Domestic Workers Law “No. 15 of 2017” stipulates a fine not exceeding 10,000 Qatari riyals if the employer does not pay the agreed monthly wage.
What are the minimum standards for housing and food?
Housing standards are stipulated in Ministerial Resolution No. 18 of 2014.
With regard to food, workers should be given three meals a day that are culturally appropriate, nutritious and provide them with the necessary calories to maintain their health.
How will the overtime be calculated?
When the new minimum wage comes into effect, the overtime calculation must be based on at least the new minimum basic wage. The rate may be higher based on the provisions of the worker’s employment contract. See Section 74-76 of the Labor Code.
How will the end of service gratuity be calculated?
In the event that the contract period ends with the entry into force of the new minimum wage, the end of service gratuity calculation must be based on no less than the new minimum basic wage (Article 72 of the Labor Law).
What will happen to existing contracts that are below the minimum?
When the new minimum wage comes into effect, the employer becomes legally obligated to pay the worker a minimum of 1,000 Qatari riyals per month, even if the contract signed with the worker stipulates a wage less than this amount. The law does not require signing a new contract in order for workers to obtain the new minimum.
How will this affect workers paid above the new minimum wage?
If you are paying workers the new minimum wage of “1000 Qatari riyals or more” and ensuring that they have adequate housing and food, you are not obligated to adjust their wages or the allowances they receive.
As for workers who receive wages less than 1300 Qatari riyals and buy their own food, their wages must be increased to reach at least the mentioned amount, reflecting the minimum food allowance.
The minimum wage does not directly affect workers who earn a basic wage higher than 1800 Qatari riyals because it exceeds the minimum basic wage in addition to all allowances.
Reducing the worker’s wage to the minimum during the validity of the current contract constitutes a breach of the contract. Article 5 of the new Ministerial Resolution “Resolution No. XXX of the year 2021 determining the minimum wage for workers and domestic workers” stipulates that the employer may not use the new law as a justification for reducing the worker’s salary And to provide less favorable conditions than those stipulated in the contract.
How is the minimum wage determined?
The government of the State of Qatar, in cooperation with the International Labor Organization, conducted a comprehensive wage analysis in the country that included the needs of workers and their families and the economic impact of various potential economic scenarios. I also consulted with national and international experts and a wide range of workers and employers. This process was based on the principles contained in the International Convention on Minimum Wage Fixing.
When and how will the minimum wage rate be adjusted again?
The National Minimum Wage Committee is responsible for monitoring the impact of the minimum wage and periodically proposing amendments.
The National Minimum Wage Commission consists of relevant governmental and non-governmental agencies. These bodies consult with experts, workers and employers in forming their opinions.
Where can I get more information?
For more information, see the website of the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs:
Or call the ministry on:
16008
Or by email to the following address:
imfo@adlsa.gov.qa
