Crowell & Moring and German Business Council Qatar Discuss Qatar Labor & Employment Reforms

Doha – April 5, 2021: Crowell & Moring and the German Business Council Qatar (GBCQ) held a webinar on the latest developments regarding Qatari labor and employment reforms. The virtual event, which took place on Monday, was presented by Michael Palmer, senior counsel at the firm.

Titled ‘Qatar Labor & Employment Reforms,’ the webinar, which was moderated by GBCQ representative Kathrin Lemke and Mr. Henning Zimmermann, Chairman of GBCQ, discussed the recent changes to labor and sponsorship laws in the country, including new requirements for employers. Among other changes, the new legislation eases movement between employers in Qatar and abolishes the need for the “no objection certificate.”

The webinar also touched on the impacts of the improved diplomatic relations between Qatar and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Whilst taking into account the limitations faced by travelers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the recent easing of travel restrictions between neighboring nations will likely lead to greater movement of business and personnel in and out of the country as the level of vaccinations increase in the region.

“Qatar is taking a more progressive approach in amending its labor laws and seeking to transform its labor market in light of the upcoming World Cup and the Qatar National Vision 2030,” said Palmer.

“Labor policy is a complex matter and one that cannot be solved easily. However, over the past several years, Qatar has implemented extensive reforms to strengthen labor laws and increase protections for migrant workers, the latest being the introduction of a minimum wage,” said Lemke.