2022 World Cup: Qatar amends its labour code, but does not abolish the kafala system

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, promulgated the new law regulating the work of aliens, without, however, abolishing the kafala system, on 27/10/2015. Amendments to the law allow foreign workers to apply for an authorisation to leave the country, via the Interior Ministry. If the worker does not get it after three days, he has the possibility of bringing a case before a disputes committee. This new regulation will enter into force in 2017.

This change does not affect the kafala is a system of "sponsorship" regard all foreigners who have a work permit. They are, in most cases, deprived of their freedom of movement after confiscation of their passports by the sponsor which has previously allowed them to come to work in the country. Bahrain is the only country in the Persian Gulf region to have abolished this system.

The amended law will "probably not lead to an improvement of the situation of foreign workers. (...) One of the disappointing aspects of the law is apparently the employee will still need the employer's agreement to leave the country," said Bicholas…