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Regarding healthcare, it is well known that Qatar provides free treatment for all residents
of the country, for a nominal fee, as treatment is subsidized by the state. The employer
pays only the fee to obtain a health card, which is 100 rials annually.
Nevertheless, the law requires employees to provide medical and healthcare to workers,
and it also requires employers to provide paramedic aid at the workplace, which begins at
the level of a paramedic nurse and includes a clinic and doctor on staff for every 500
workers.
Thus, the statement that workers do not receive healthcare, or that they bear the costs of
treatment is incorrect and false.
Regarding occupational safety and health, there is a department in the Inspection
Directorate tasked with inspecting occupational safety and health, which inspects
factories and workplaces on a daily basis.
Occupational safety and health are at the top of the Ministry’s agenda. Cabinet Decree
16/2011 was issued establishing the National Committee for Occupational Safety and
Health, which is currently working to draft a national plan for occupational safety and
health.
In addition, a guide will soon be issued on conditions, safety measures, and accidentprevention
in construction, by order of the Cabinet.
III. Forced labor
The Ministry has received no complaint of forced labor and it is inconceivable that such a
thing exists in Qatar, as the worker may break his contract and return to his country
whenever he wishes and the employer cannot force him to remain in the country against
his will.
Whenever a worker turns to the competent authorities and expresses his desire to leave
his job and return to his country, the Interior Ministry requires the employer to procure a
return ticket for the worker. If the worker has a complaint against the employer regarding
his wage or other entitlements, the worker is referred to the competent labor court to hear
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