The Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, issued Law No. 12 of 2024 on Sunday, September 1, 2024, regarding the localization of jobs in the private sector. This law aims to enhance the participation of the national workforce in the private sector in line with the development strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030.
The Ministry of Labor explained in a statement that the new law aims to increase the participation of Qataris and children of Qatari women in the private labour market by creating new job opportunities and developing a more attractive work environment for national talents. The law stipulates the need to develop a plan for job localization, considering the development of training, employment, and qualification policies and providing a stable and safe work environment for national cadres.
The law also seeks to radically transform the Qatari labour market by focusing on highly skilled jobs and relying on a qualified Qatari talent base while utilizing foreign talent with advanced skills when necessary.
The law targets all institutions and commercial companies registered in Qatar, including state-owned or state-participated companies and private institutions of public benefit, associations, and sports organizations.
The law also includes a set of financial benefits and incentives for Qataris and children of Qatari women, as well as facilities and privileges for institutions that adhere to localization plans. The Ministry of Labor has been granted powers to promote scholarships for university studies in coordination with relevant entities to qualify Qataris for private sector jobs.
In the context of following up on the implementation of the law, the Ministry of Labor confirmed that it will establish standardized employment contract templates that will be mandatory for entities subject to the law’s provisions and will work on monitoring companies’ compliance with approved localization policies.
Employment statistics for 2023 showed that the private sector employed 2,203 Qatari citizens, with the most in-demand specializations being business administration, engineering, finance, and accounting. Meanwhile, the public sector employed 4,979 Qataris, with females forming the majority of employees in both sectors.
The job localization law in the private sector is considered an essential step toward achieving sustainable development in Qatar, as it contributes to enhancing the participation of the national workforce, achieving job stability, and developing skills. However, the law faces challenges related to attracting Qataris to the private sector and motivating them to work in it, which the Ministry of Labor aims to overcome by offering incentives, training, and improving the work environment.
Amid government efforts to enhance the role of the private sector in achieving the national vision, the job localization law represents a crucial step toward sustainable development in a labor market capable of adapting to global changes.
