Qatar: Pay and benefits

Original and updating author: Frank Lucente, Al Tamimi & Company

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Summary

• As in Qatar generally, pay rates in the Qatar Financial Centre are generally set by the individual employment contract. (See General)
• In Qatar generally, employees whose remuneration is calculated on an annual or monthly basis must be paid at least once a month, and other employees must be paid at least every two weeks, while in the Qatar Financial Centre the employer must pay the employee at least monthly. (See Payment of wages)
• Employers must not make deductions from an employee's remuneration other than in certain specified circumstances. (See Deductions)
• As in Qatar generally, a female employee in the Qatar Financial Centre must be paid remuneration equivalent to that of a male employee, if they perform similar work. (See Equal pay)
• From 20 March 2021, a statutory minimum wage has been introduced that applies to private-sector workers in Qatar. There is no minimum wage legislation that applies in the Qatar Financial Centre. (See Minimum wages)
• Certain employers must contribute 14% of the contributory wage of Qatari employees to the state pension scheme while the employee contribution is set at 7% of the contributory wage. (See Pensions)
• There is no system of personal income tax. (See Income tax and social security)
• In Qatar generally, eligible employees who are absent from work owing to illness or injury are entitled to up to six weeks of paid sick leave in any year, while employees in the Qatar Financial Centre are eligible for up to 60 working days of paid sick leave in any 12-month period. (See Sick pay)