BRUSSELS, Belgium

The Emir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani has issued Law No (13) of 2017, which amends some provisions of the Labour Law promulgated by Law No (14) of 2004 and Law No. (13) of 1990, regarding a special Committee for the Settlement of Labour Disputes.

This law will protect worker’s rights and simplify litigation between employees and their employers. Under this new provision, a special panel will be established at the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs, to allow for quick and effective settlement of labour disputes.

The law indicated that a dispute will first need to be considered by the Department of Labour Relation, which must settle the dispute within seven days. If the department fails to settle the dispute within this period, then the department must transfer the case to the dispute committee within three working days. Exceptionally, the employee can file a claim directly to the dispute committee in case of dismissal. In the case that this committee finds that the dismissal was arbitrary, then the employee has the right to return to the job with due payments including allowances from the period of which they were not working due to the dismissal.

Furthermore, the committee will be appointed by a judge of the Court of First Instance, selected by the Supreme Judicial Council and two members nominated by the minister, provided that one of them has experience in accounting. Additionally, the rules and procedures to be followed by the committee, as well as the mechanism for implementing its decisions and rewards, will be set by The Cabinet.

The introduction of this amendment to the law highlights the continuous efforts of the State of Qatar to ensure efficient, updated and highly diligent rules of law are maintained in the nation which enhance its governance.