The most anticipated new for Qatar residents was announced yesterday. The change of the Kafala system. Here are some of the changes I read on the net and some question I have...
Currently so called Kafala sponsorship has been abolished and employer and employee will be protected through using contract. One can now change job after completing his / hers contract but one can't do that in the middle of the contract. Therefore the seeking NOC is still there just now it has a duration. As for one current or will be on a permanent / non contract job same thing apply and far worst they need to wait for 5 years after they complete their service to change job. So basically I really don't see a HUGE different or any differences because back in other emerging country one can change job whether they are on contract or not by just quitting their current job and they would only need to pay their employer if they did not serve the notice period.
The 2 years ban after your left Qatar will be abolish but that statement is just too general. What if someone quit his job and leave the country and come back for a new job the very following month? so how does the completing 5 years / contract duration rules come into the picture?
Exit Permit. Well this is only thing that I am concerned about. Sad to say the exit permit still there likewise for the NOC thingy I wrote earlier. One now need to apply themselves for EP through the government mobile apps Metrash2 or maybe Hukoomi and employers have 72 hours to dispute with a valid reason. I see potential issue with this process as the following;
1) What about the employee who current being told that they can only go for vacation after 2 years of service?
2) What is the lead time you need to apply for EP before your departure date? I am expecting 5 days to be safe. The process now would probably go like this.
Employee > Metrash 2 > (how employer know you applied.?) > employer acknowledge > MOI > employer (if there is dispute) and the cycle continues.
3) Are they expecting people with lower income such as laborers have access to Internet / smartphone ?
These are some of my curiosity of the changes to take place and hope they will provide more clearer process about it and yeah they have not announce when the change will be implemented. In the end, there is nothing much to complain about as these issue has been ongoing for many years and it is a known thing and like what most people says if you can't take it then look for another alternative. Is just like when a man or women sign up to become a soldier and knowing that the job would get them killed.
