The Ministry of Labour Affairs declared yesterday that the decision to increase the probation period for domestic workers to come into effect today, January 8, in implementation of decision No. (21) of 2021 altering some requirements of decision No. (8) of 2005 regulating the conditions and measures for licensing the staffing of domestic workers from abroad for others. The change involves the probation tenure to be that of nine months rather than the former 3 months rule.

The Ministry stated that the employment agencies are required to guarantee for the employer a nine-month probationary period for the domestic worker. During the first three months, the employer has the right to discontinue the employment contract and retrieve the full amount that he paid the recruitment office. For the further six-month probationary period, the licensee shall assure the return of the sum paid to him by the employer, minus 15% of the total amount due, for each month the worker spent in the service of the employer during the additional probation period, with reduction of government fees incurred in any of the following cases: the workers’ denial to work, the worker runs away or ailment with a chronic disease.

Meanwhile, the employer forfeits all his rights in the event that he assaults the worker or is in violation of any of the terms and conditions given in the contract.

With the objective of guaranteeing the rights of employers to domestic workers along with the rights of the recruitment agencies, the Ministry of Labour highlighted that the Employment Department conducted many consultative meetings with recruitment agencies over the past period, in order to introduce the provisions of the decision and its correct procedures for implementation to thereby guarantee the rights of employers to domestic workers as well as i the rights of the employment agencies.

In accordance with the provisions of decision No. 21 of 2021, altering some provisions of decision No. 8 of 2005, checking the terms and procedures for licensing the recruitment of workers from abroad for others, the Labour Ministry added that new models for employment contracts were prepared. These were further distributed to recruitment offices in order to carry out a standard form of contracts between both parties.

The Ministry asserted that it will continue to take all courses, of action decisions and instructions that will protect the rights of employers to domestic workers in a way that eliminates the liabilities on the family in the Qatari society concerning the responsibilities resulting from the breach of employment contracts or if the worker runs away.

The Ministry stated that it will firmly assess the incorporation of the obligations stipulated in the law, regulations and instructions, and will strengthen its inspection campaigns on recruitment offices, and will take legal action against anyone who violates laws and decisions, calling on all employers to inform on any breach of contracts so that the concerned department in the Ministry of Labor can take the required courses of actions.

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Cover image credit & source: Peninsula