Passport must be returned to the worker

Here are some of the main features of the NHRC handbook for workers (applies to nationals and expatriates but excludes domestic workers):

*Make sure that you’re well aware of the nature of the job, salary and residence through signing an initial contract with the contractor or seek registration details about the company or work place you are joining.

*Any verbal agreements you make with the employer before coming to Qatar will have no legal binding whatsoever and can be easily violated after your arrival, therefore you must insist on acquiring your own work contract directly before you start work, on the previously mentioned conditions.

This will protect you from facing one of the following:

(a)exploitation by employer, ask to perform duties not agreed on.

(b)giving you a salary less than what has been agreed on, or not paying your salary for many months.

(c)not providing the appropriate accommodation agreed on with the employer, or providing accommodation not according to what has been agreed on.

*It is illegal for Qatari contractors to charge you a fee or expenses for bringing you to work in Qatar.

*It is illegal to work in Qatar without a written and signed contract between you and your employer; this can cause many troubles. However if the employer refuses to sign a contract, you can prove your employment status by all kinds of proof.

*A medical examination to ensure that you are fit for work is repeated in Qatar. You will be expelled by Qatari authorities if the medical examination finds you unfit.

*Passport: It is not legal for the employer to keep your passport. It should be given back to you upon completion of residence or residence renewal procedures.

*If there was no contract between you and your employer, you can prove that you have worked for him by your salary transfer to the bank; your signature on salary receipt, and testimony by your colleagues and other legal methods

*Working hours: Eight hours daily is the standard, with one hour rest period in between for prayer, lunch etc. The rest period is not included as part of actual work hours. In Ramadan, it is six hours with rest period in between, not included as part of actual working hours.

*It is legal to work extra hours, pro- vided the total hours do not exceed 10 hours, unless there is a necessity that calls for continuous work to prevent huge loss, or to repair or lessen the effects of an accident.

*You receive payment for any overtime you work.

*Friday is your usual weekly holiday, except for shift workers. It is legal to make you work on a Friday if work conditions necessitate that, on condition that you are paid for it equivalent to your basic salary and compensated for your day off with another day.

*Your annual paid vacation is as follows: Three weeks if your service period is less than five years, and four weeks if your service period is five years or more.

*The minimum legal age of employment is 16 years with the father or guardian’s consent.

* Disability compensation: The employer should pay disability compensation within 15 days from the date a worker is proven to be disabled, or the conclusion of investigations supporting disability because of work.

*Employer should pay death compensation to court treasurer, within 15 days of death or the date of conclusion of investigations supporting the cause of death as related to work.