Efforts are being made to diversify the Qatari economy beyond crude oil exports (GDP: $8.1 billion). As a measure to promote foreign investment, a law has been issued allowing foreign investors to hold up to 100 percent stakes in certain projects in the agriculture, industry, health, education and tourism sectors. The law also provides for tax exemption for 10 years and exemption from customs duties on the import of equipment, machinery and raw materials to foreign-owned companies. Moreover, the national health service and education systems in Qatar are considered to be one of the most generous and extensive schemes among the Gulf states, and, in recent years, the private sector has come to play a more active role in the economy.

Expatriate workers account for three-quarters of the labour force and it is expected that Qatar’s reliance on imported services and labour will remain heavy in the years to come. In an effort to reduce reliance on migrant workers, the government issued, in 1997, a directive advising private businesses to ensure that Qatari nationals constitute at least 20 percent of their employees. While this policy is still valid and pursued, it is expected that increased job opportunities, particularly in the construction sector, will tempt expatriates back to Qatar over the next two years. Education and training systems and policies are also being reviewed with a view to ensuring more efficient and effective utilization of the national manpower.

Since the present Emir, Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, came to power in 1995, a degree of political liberalization unprecedented in the Gulf region was introduced, including the creation of an elected council and the enfranchisement of women.

Currently, there is no Ministry of Labour in Qatar. Labour issues are the responsibility of the Department of Labour of the Ministry of Civil Services Affairs and Housing (MCSAH). Sheikh Falah Bin Jassim Al-Thani, Minister of Civil Services Affairs and Housing, was appointed in 1996.

Employers’ organizations are represented by the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI). The Chamber of Commerce and Industry provides advisory services to its members on trade and management development issues. It assists the government in the Qatarization process by providing training and other related services to young Qatari entrepreneurs to encourage them in creating private businesses. ILO conducted, in May 2001, a national workshop for small enterprise development for employers organizations.

No trade unions are allowed in Qatar.

Qatar is benefiting from a study for comparative analysis of national legislations and practice in light of ILO core Conventions currently being undertaken in GCC States;

A technical advisory mission the Qatari government on the ratification and application of ILO Conventions and Recommendations (February 2001);

Fellowships for participation in the Turin Centre training courses on: international labour standards and globalization (Turin, November 2000) and international labour standards and the Declaration reporting (Bahrain, April 2001).

A technical advisory mission on labour force survey (December 2000) to enhance the Government capacity on labour market monitoring. At the request of the Labour Department, a follow-up mission is scheduled to be undertaken in October 2001;

A technical advisory mission on the promotion of small and medium enterprises and women’s employment (February 2001);

Qatar is one of the GCC states benefiting from the assistance for establishing a unified labour market information system in GCC, which is being carried out by ILO and the Executive Bureau of the Council of the Ministers of Labour in GCC (2000-2001).

A national seminar on women’s entrepreneurship development is scheduled to be held in Qatar, October 2001.

Technical advisory service and training on the labour inspection system (January 2001).

Qatar (representatives of the Govt. and employers’ organizations only) participated in the "Arab Inter-regional Meeting on the Promotion of Tripartism and Social dialogue" (Beirut, October 2000).

ILO national employers’ workshop on small enterprise development (May 2001) to assist employers’ organizations in strengthening their support services to small enterprises.

Qatar ratified a total of four ILO Conventions including three core Conventions, namely:

• Convention No. 29: Forced Labour, 1930
• Convention No. 111: Discrimination (Employment and Occupation), 1958

Convention No. 182: Worst Forms of Child Labour, 1999

 Updated by CHW. Approved by RD. Last update: 3 August 2001.