Qatar announced changes to its labour laws on Sunday, raising the minimum wage by 25 percent to 1,000 riyals ($275) a month and scrapping a requirement for workers to get permission from their employers to change jobs.
QATAR WILL BE THE FIRST IN THE REGION WITH A NON-DISCRIMINATORY MINIMUM WAGE
They are the latest in a series of labour reforms by the 2022 FIFA World Cup host which in the lead up to the tournament has faced accusations that migrant workers are exploited.
Companies must also provide accommodation and food or a combined monthly stipend of 800 riyals.
The removal of employer permission to change jobs is effective immediately. Companies who do not pay wages or provide adequate accommodation will face harsher penalties under the new reforms, the labour ministry said.
Qatar would be the first in the region with a non-discriminatory minimum wage and the “kafala” system was effectively dismantled now that employees would no longer need permission to change jobs, it said.