-HS, Doha
Answer: According to Article 32 of the Environmental Protection Law (Law No 30 of 2002), dumping and burning garbage or treatment of solid and liquid waste shall be restricted except in designated areas away from residential, industrial and agricultural areas and waterways. Any person who breaches the said provision shall be punished with a fine not less than QR5,000 and not exceeding QR50,000.
Judicial assistance for differently abled
Q: If a differently-abled person needs to enter into a contract, can he or she seek assistance from the court? Is there any provision in law that assists the differently-abled persons? Please advise.
-JC, Doha
A: As per Article 127 of Qatar Civil Laws, if a person is severely physically disabled, particularly deaf and dumb, blind and deaf, or blind and dumb, and cannot understand the contents or surrounding circumstances of a contract, or cannot effectively communicate his will, the court may appoint a judicial assistant to help such person as may be necessary in his best interests.
Loan repayment after losing job
Q: My company terminated me as part of reducing their manpower and they have asked me to leave the country as early as possible. I obtained a personal bank loan in 2017 and I am regularly paying the instalments. I cannot leave the country without settling the loan and I don’t have money now to settle it. I am looking for other job. Is it possible to be in Qatar for finding a job? What should I do? In case I default on payment, what action will the bank initiate? Can I use the termination as defence against bank’s legal action? Please advise.
-AB, Doha
A: According to the Entry Exit Law (Law No 21 of 2015), in case of termination of the employment contract, the employee can have up to three months’ time as a grace period to find new employment by notifying the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs. When the worker has found a new job, they can approach the ministry and present their new employment contract. As the termination is initiated by the employer, in case of cancellation of residency permit, the person will be able to return to Qatar to take up employment immediately after being granted a new visa.
On failure to repay the loan amount, the bank can take the necessary legal action to recover the loan amount. Loan repayment shall subsist irrespective of whether the borrower is employed or not. Loan contract is independent of borrower’s employment and borrower will be legally obliged to repay the loan as per the terms of loan.
Notification period for resigning job
Q: I am working with an advertising company in Doha since 2015. My employment contract will expire on July 31, 2019. I don’t want to renew my contract and I wish to return home. In order to avoid complications while resigning, I would like to know how many days’ notice is required in my case? What are my other benefits? Please advise.
-SM, Doha
A: According to Article 49 of the Labour Law, in respect of the workers who receive their wages annually or monthly, the notification shall be given not less than one month prior to the date of the termination if the period of service is five years or less. In your case, one month prior notice is required, unless the contract specifically states otherwise. The employee will be entitled for a minimum of three weeks basic wages per year and prorate as end of service benefits and proportionate payment against leave dues at three weeks per year. In addition, the return travel arrangements are to be made by the employer.
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