Qatar’s Ministry of Labour has held a second consultation with companies listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange as the country prepares to increase the employment of Qatari nationals in the private sector.
The session, chaired by Minister of Labour HE Dr Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, brought together CEOs and senior management representatives from listed companies.
Discussions focused on the implementation of the Private Sector Nationalisation Law. They covered nationalisation targets, implementation mechanisms and challenges for employers.
The latest meeting follows an earlier consultation with state-owned companies and public benefit entities. The ministry is using the sessions to gather employer feedback before the law takes effect.
Qatar to set nationalisation targets by sector
Under the proposed framework, nationalisation targets will vary by establishment category and targeted sector.
Al Marri said listed companies play an important role in Qatar’s economy and will be key partners in meeting the nationalisation targets.
“The success of the nationalisation plan will depend on coordination between the Ministry of Labour, sector regulators and private-sector employers,” Al Marri said.
The ministry also plans to introduce a Nationalisation Award. The award will recognise companies and Qatari nationals that show strong performance in supporting nationalisation objectives.
Meanwhile, the consultation process will allow companies to raise concerns and submit proposals on how the framework should work in practice.
Employers face new workforce reporting duties
The framework will introduce several workforce data and compliance requirements for private-sector employers.
Companies will need to update information on Qatari and non-Qatari employees every six months. They will also need to certify workplace and disciplinary regulations and employment contracts.
In addition, employers must pay employees through Qatar’s Wage Protection System.
Companies will also need to use the Basher platform for employment-related processes. This includes notifying the Ministry of Labour about appointments and terminations.
Employers will also have to meet the nationalisation and employment targets that apply to them.
Ministry to clarify compliance requirements
The Ministry of Labour plans to notify employers ahead of the law coming into force. It will also provide details on the requirements companies must meet.
The ministry will set out violations and consequences for non-compliance. It will also explain available incentives and any restrictions that may apply to private-sector employers.
Importantly, the ministry plans to review the nationalisation plan with private-sector stakeholders. It will assess the effectiveness of the framework two years after implementation.
Sector regulators to align workforce targets
Sector regulators will also have a role in implementing the nationalisation framework.
Their responsibilities will include aligning nationalisation targets with the workforce needs of individual sectors. Regulators will also incorporate nationalisation requirements into supervision and licensing processes.
They will monitor company compliance and submit periodic reports to the relevant authorities.
In addition, regulators will support qualification and training programmes based on sector-specific workforce requirements.
Qatar focuses on building a national talent pipeline
The Ministry of Labour also plans to work with private-sector companies to prepare Qatari students for employment.
The aim is to build a pipeline of qualified national talent. At the same time, the initiative is expected to help employers recruit and deploy Qatari employees in roles aligned with sector needs.
The approach forms part of Qatar’s wider workforce and economic development objectives under Qatar National Vision 2030.
The ministry said it will continue consultations with private-sector employers. These discussions will focus on implementation challenges, industry expertise and adjustments needed to meet nationalisation objectives.
What Qatar’s nationalisation plan means for employers
For listed companies and other private-sector employers, the framework points to a more structured approach to national workforce planning.
Employers will need to track workforce data, meet sector-specific targets and maintain employment records. They will also need to align recruitment and training plans with the requirements that apply to their sectors.
The continuing consultations suggest that implementation details will remain a key focus before the law takes effect.
