Qatar Enforces Big Penalties for Job Localization Violations

Qatar is tightening its grip on job localization in the private sector with a new law that carries serious penalties for violators. According to a report, anyone caught breaking this law could face up to three years in prison and fines reaching QR 1 million.

New Law on Job Localization

This legislation, known as Qatari Law No. (12) of 2024, was officially published on October 17 and approved by H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. It aims to enhance the employment of Qatari nationals in private sector jobs, ensuring more opportunities for the local workforce.

Penalties for Violations

Under the law, if an entity or individual is found in violation, they will receive a notification to fix the issue within a specified time frame. If they fail to comply, the authorities may:

- Issue a written warning.

- Suspend their transactions with the Ministry for up to three months.

- Impose a fine while requiring the violator to rectify the cause of the violation.

Article (12) of the law also states that anyone who uses fraudulent methods or provides false information to evade these requirements could be punished with up to three years in prison and fines up to QR 1 million.

Financial Penalties for Specific Violations

Specific financial penalties are outlined for various infractions. For instance:

- Failing to allocate jobs as per the localization plan can result in fines of QR 10,000 for the first violation, QR 20,000 for the second, and QR 30,000 for subsequent violations.

- Not adhering to training and rehabilitation plans carries fines of QR 50,000 for the first offense, QR 75,000 for the second, and QR 100,000 for the third.

Implementation and Objectives

The law will be enforced by various competent authorities starting six months after its publication. Its main goal is to boost the participation of Qatari nationals in the workforce, creating new job opportunities and enhancing the skills of the local population.