Title

China – Qatar Agreement regulating the Employment of Chinese Workers in the State of Qatar

Date of conclusion

23 June 2008

Entry into force

In effect

Text versions

Arabic

Source:

– Official Journal Issue No. 12 (22 December 2011) p. 101. Retrieved from: Al-Meezan Qatar Legal Portal, accessed: 15 May 2013.

Abstract

This agreement aims to regulate the employment of Chinese workers by Qatari employers.

Art. 1 defines the term ‘worker’ as any Chinese worker who has signed an agreement with the employer and was sent by a Chinese Company to work in Qatar for a limited period of time only after which he must return to China.

Art. 4 requires the Qatari Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to forward requests for Chinese workers to the Chinese Ministry of Trade.

According to paragraph 1 of Art. 5, the Chinese Ministry of Trade must provide the Qatari Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs with a list of Chinese companies. The Qatari employer may only hire Chinese workers through these companies, which shall be responsible for ensuring that potential workers meet the requirements of the Qatari employer.

Paragraph 2 of the same article stipulates that the Qatari Embassy in China may only issue visas for workers sent by companies in the list prepared by the Chinese Ministry of Trade.

Art. 6 requires employment offers made to Chinese workers to include qualifications and expertise needed, potential duration of employment, working conditions, remuneration, probation…etc. in order to enable the worker to make an informed decision before accepting the offer.

Art. 7 determines that the Chinese Ministry of Trade must make the necessary arrangements to facilitate the conduct of medical tests and the acquisition of passports or permission to travel by Chinese workers. It must also provide them with information on working conditions and living standards in Qatar.

Articles 8 and 9 address the issue of repatriation of Chinese workers by the government of the State of Qatar.

Art. 10 requires the Qatari employer to bear the travel costs of worker to and from Qatar except in cases where the worker resigns before the end of his contract or commits an act warranting the termination of his employment without warning in accordance with Art. 61 of the Qatari Labour Law.

In accordance with Art. 14, the Chinese Embassy must certify employment contracts concluded in Qatar and the Qatari Embassy must certify contracts concluded in China.

Art. 16 requires the establishment of a Joint Committee which shall have the following functions: coordinate between the governments of Qatar and China, resolve any disputes arising under the agreement, and recommend amendments to it.