Qatar Private Sector Indigenization: Law Gazetted, Violators Fined 10 Lakh Riyals.

Doha : The new law related to indigenization in the private sector of the country has been published in the official gazette. The new law contains provisions that ensure severe punishment for entities and individuals who violate the law. Violation of the law will result in imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of 10 lakh Riyals together or any of these. The law was published in the gazette issued by the Ministry of Justice yesterday.
The Emir of Qatar has approved the law related to indigenization with the aim of increasing the employment presence of expatriates in the private sector in Qatar. 12/2024 The law related to indigenization in the private sector will come into effect in the country after six months of its
publication in the gazette.
The provisions relating to the punishment for the violators are included in the new Act Sections 11 and 12. If a violation is found, the firm will be given a warning to correct it and all dealings of the firm with the Ministry of Labor will be frozen for a period not exceeding three months. A small fine will be charged for this violation.
But under Article 12, strict punishment will be meted out against the establishments providing false information or figures regarding the workers of the establishment. Firms that evade repatriation by providing false information will be punished with imprisonment not exceeding three years and a fine of 10 lakh Riyals together or with either of these. The new law considers actions such as transferring the posts reserved for natives to other categories and not notifying the job opportunities in the organization at the appropriate times as violations of the law which are punishable severely.
The new law was enacted with the aim of effectively and significantly increasing the participation of native workers in private sector institutions and companies. As part of the indigenization in the private sector, new job opportunities will be made available to Qataris and the children of Qatari women.
According to the new law, indigenousization should be implemented in the fields of individuals with commercial registration, government-owned organizations operating in the country, joint government and private organizations, privately owned companies, non-profit charitable organizations, sports organizations and associations.