Domestic Workers Rights in Qatar

Introduction

• Human Rights Watch welcomes Qatar's adoption of the 2017 Domestic Workers Law (Law No. 15)
  • Provides legal guarantees for domestic workers' labor rights
  • First time such legal guarantees are provided
  • More steps needed to align with international law
• Assessment of remaining gaps in Qatar's laws related to domestic workers
  • Focus on Domestic Workers Law and kafala system
  • Recommendations to align with international labor standards

Key Provisions of the Domestic Workers Law

• Protections outlined:
  • Maximum 10-hour workday
  • At least 24 consecutive hours of rest weekly
  • Three weeks of annual leave
  • End-of-service payment (at least three weeks per year)
• Gaps identified:
  • Weaker than the Labor Law (Law No. 14 of 2004)
  • Does not fully conform to the International Labour Organization (ILO) Domestic Workers Convention

Recommendations for Improvement

(a) Equal Treatment

• Recommendations:
  • Reform Domestic Workers Law for equal rights to other workers
  • Ratify the ILO Domestic Workers Convention
• Current Law:
  • Maximum 10-hour workday (Labor Law: 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week)
  • No overtime pay provisions
  • Rest breaks not included in working hours
  • Exploitable loopholes in rest period agreements
• ILO Standards:
  • Equal treatment in hours, overtime, rest

(b) On-call Hours & Rest Periods

• Recommendations:
  • Allow workers to leave household during rest/leave periods
  • Ensure on-call hours count as work
  • Training on calculating working hours

(c) Food and Accommodation

• Recommendations:
  • Clarify minimum standards for food/accommodation
  • Adequate room, sanitary facilities, lighting, meals

(d) Health and Safety

• Recommendations:
  • Set occupational health and safety guidelines
  • Train inspectors and employers

(e) Recruitment Fees

• Recommendations:
  • Clear prohibition on salary confiscation by agents
  • Compensate workers for recruitment costs

(f) Enforcement Mechanisms

• Recommendations:
  • Include inspection mechanisms respecting privacy
  • Enhance labor inspection systems
• Current Enforcement:
  • New complaints procedure, yet lacking inspection of homes

(g) Wage Discrimination

• Recommendations:
  • Minimum wage coverage for domestic workers
  • Combat nationality-based wage discrimination

(h) Lack of Unionization

• Recommendations:
  • Ensure rights to form unions for domestic workers
  • Support formation of worker committees

Kafala (Sponsorship) System

• Recommendations:
  • End the kafala system
  • Allow visa freedom from employer control
• Current System:
  • Employer control over leaving the country or changing jobs
  • Recent commitment to reform aspects of the system

Conclusion:

• Qatar has made strides with the 2017 Domestic Workers Law but needs further reforms to ensure full protection and alignment with international standards.