QATAR—Qatar’s “kafala” labour law for foreign workers will come into force in December next year, media reports said on Friday.
The law reforming rules that oversee exit visas and work contracts in the gas-rich Gulf state was published in Qatar’s official gazette, the AFP reported.
It added that the Arabic-language Al-Sharq reported that the changes will take effect on December 14 next year, 14 months after first being approved.
The reforms will allow foreign workers wishing to leave Qatar to apply to the interior ministry for permission up to 72 hours in advance.
If such permission is initially denied, employees seeking to leave can then complain to a grievance committee established under the new law.
Currently, workers need an exit visa approved by their sponsor to be able to leave the country.
The changes also allow foreign workers to switch jobs at the end of a fixed-term contract.
Under the current system, workers who leave a job at the end of a contract have to wait two years to return to Qatar to take up a new position if their old employer objects to the new job.
The reforms were announced following a high-profile international campaign by critics over labour laws in the country which will host football’s World Cup in 2022.
English 
العربية