Qatar Labour Law Basics 2026: Salary, Working Hours, Leave & Gratuity

Whether you have just arrived in Qatar or have worked here for years, knowing your basic rights under the Qatar Labour Law (Law No. 14 of 2004 and its amendments) can protect you from being underpaid or losing money when you leave a job.

Here are the most important rules every worker in Qatar’s private sector should know, explained in simple words.

1. Minimum Wage in Qatar

Qatar has a minimum wage that applies to all workers of all nationalities, including domestic workers.

2. How Salaries Must Be Paid

Salaries must be paid monthly into your bank account through the Wage Protection System (WPS). This creates an official record of what you are paid. Late or missing salaries can be reported to the Ministry of Labour.

3. Working Hours

• Maximum 48 hours per week (normally 8 hours per day)
• During Ramadan: maximum 36 hours per week
• At least one paid rest day per week, usually Friday

4. Overtime Pay

• Normal overtime: at least your basic hourly wage plus 25%
• Overtime at night (between 9 pm and 6 am): at least plus 50% (some shift workers are excluded)
• Working on your weekly rest day: you should get another day off or extra pay of at least 150% of your basic wage

5. Summer Working Hours (Heat Protection)

To protect workers from heat, outdoor work in open areas is not allowed during the hottest hours of the day in summer (roughly from 10 am to 3:30 pm, from June to mid-September). Work must also stop when heat stress levels are too high. Check the Ministry of Labour’s announcement each year for the exact dates.

6. Annual Leave

If you leave your job with unused leave, you should be paid for those days.

7. Sick Leave

After completing 3 months of service, you are entitled to paid sick leave with a medical report:

• First 2 weeks: full pay
• Next 4 weeks: half pay
• After that, up to 6 more weeks: unpaid

8. Maternity Leave

Women who have worked for at least one year are entitled to 50 days of paid maternity leave under the Labour Law. Some employers and sectors offer more.

9. End-of-Service Gratuity

If you have worked for the same employer for at least one year, you are entitled to gratuity when you leave.

• Minimum: 3 weeks (21 days) of basic salary for each year of service
• Part of a year is counted proportionally
• It is calculated on your last basic salary (not including allowances)

Example Calculation

Basic salary: QAR 1,500 per month. Years worked: 4.

• Daily basic salary: 1,500 ÷ 30 = QAR 50
• Gratuity: 50 × 21 days × 4 years = QAR 4,200

10. Your Passport Belongs to You

Your passport and personal documents are yours. Employers are not allowed to keep them against your will. If your employer refuses to return your passport, you can report it.

Where to Complain

• Ministry of Labour: submit a complaint online or visit a service centre
• Labour Dispute Settlement Committees: handle disputes about unpaid wages, gratuity and other rights
• Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund: can help pay workers’ dues when the employer cannot pay

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum salary in Qatar in 2026?

QAR 1,000 basic salary, plus QAR 500 for housing and QAR 300 for food if the employer does not provide them, a total of QAR 1,800.

Do I get gratuity if I resign?

Yes. If you have completed at least one year of service, you are entitled to gratuity whether you resign or your contract ends, except in cases of dismissal for serious misconduct under the law.

How many days of annual leave do I get in Qatar?

Three weeks per year for the first five years, and four weeks per year after five years.

Can my employer cut my salary?

Your employer cannot reduce your agreed salary without your written agreement, and deductions are only allowed in limited cases set by law.

Last checked: September 2026. Qatar rules and fees change often, so always confirm the latest details on the official Ministry of Interior (MOI) or Ministry of Labour websites before you apply.