16-Apr-2019: Qatar’s exit visa system to end this year: U.N.

Qatar is set to abolish its controversial exit visa system for all foreign workers by the end of 2019.

Qatar has introduced a series of labour reforms since its selection as the 2022 World Cup host, with the event setting in motion a huge construction programme employing foreign workers. Last year, the exit visa was eliminated for the majority of workers, this year, that will be extended to all remaining categories of workers.

In September 2018, Qatar approved legislation to scrap the “kafala”, or sponsorship, system which required that foreign workers obtain permission from their employers to leave the country. In October, it went into force for all but 5% of a company’s workforce — reportedly those in the most senior positions. The system will officially be eliminated by the end of 2019.

In February, Qatar said it was committed to labour reform following an Amnesty International report that the 2022 World Cup host was failing to stop widespread labour abuse. Doha said it was on course to deliver “lasting” change after the human rights group accused the state of “running out of time” to implement reforms before the World Cup.

As part of its pledge to reform the labour section, Qatar has also introduced a monthly minimum wage of 750 riyals ($206) and agreed to work closely with the ILO, which now has an office in the capital.

14/12/2016 - Qatar formally announces the end of “Kafala” system. 

Labour Minister Issa bin Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi said the “Kafala” rules would be abolished from December 13,2016 and will be replaced with a contract-based system to govern the gas-rich Gulf emirate’s 2.1 million foreign workers.

The new law is the latest step towards improving and protecting the rights of every expatriate worker in Qatar. Freedom of movement is guaranteed under the new rules, said Qatari officials, including giving workers the right to change jobs. Any worker mistreated can automatically be allowed to change jobs.

The exit visa formally needed to leave the country under “Kafala” will be abolished, although workers will still need their employers' permission to go home. An appeals committee has been established for expats who are denied permission to leave.

What is Kafala system?

The Kafala system(sponsorship system) is a system used to monitor migrant laborers, working primarily in the construction and domestic sectors, in Lebanon, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The system requires all unskilled laborers to have an in-country sponsor, usually their employer, who is responsible for their visa and legal status. This practice has been criticised by human rights organizations for creating easy opportunities for the exploitation of workers, as many employers take away passports and abuse their workers with little chance of legal repercussions.

Under the Kafala system:

1. The Sponsor Pays for recruiting the worker to the Gulf Country.
2. After the arrival of the worker, he is required to assume full economic and legal responsibility.
3. Workers' visa status is tied to the sponsor.
4. No contract is signed between sponsor and worker but only between worker and recruitment agency.
5. If a contract is broken, sponsor may ask the worker to pay back the recruitment fee unless abuse or proven violation has been committed by the sponsor.
6. Sponsor has complete control over the mobility of worker.
7. Worker cannot transfer employment without first obtaining a consent from the sponsor and cannot leave the country without first receiving an ‘exit visa’ from the sponsor.

Modern day Slavery:

• GCC countries explicitly excludes domestic workers under their labour laws and social security laws.
• Recruitment fee for live‐in domestic worker is 2‐3 times higher than what a yearly salary of a worker.

Glossary:

Economic abuse - Terms and conditions of the work contract are violated by the employer(not paid on time, or paid less or not paid at all).

Psychological abuse - Employer forbids the domestic worker from contacting their family, restricts movement(withholding passport and other documents).

Verbal abuse - Use of degrading words, insulting, humiliation, making fun of the workers race, caste, religion, clothes, personal behavior etc…

Physical violence - Workers are slapped, hit, burnt, punched, not given food or enough rest/sleep, no proper health care or no health care, locked in the room against the workers will.

Sexual abuse - Forced to have sex against their will, unwanted sexual advances made by the Employer.