Qatar Labour Law takes care of employees’/workers’ rights when they work with the employers/companies. The Labour Law Rules entitle all industrial workers and domestic workers to receive minimum monthly wages/salaries as well as end-of-service gratuity benefits.
Most industrial workers in Qatar know about their right to gratuity but domestic workers are not fully aware about it. Therefore I am here to tell you that the Qatar Labour Law provides end-of-service gratuity benefits to domestic workers based on their duration of service.
Types of Workers and Work Sectors in Qatar
There are two types of workers by work sector in Qatar. The first type is called industrial workers or professional workers that work for a company or business establishment in Qatar. The second type is called domestic workers that work for an employer (individual person) at their house or farm or garden.
Some examples of domestic workers in Qatar are the housemaid, caretaker, babysitter, gardener, driver, cook and equivalent category workers.
Can Domestic Workers Get Gratuity in Qatar?
Yes, the domestic workers can get gratuity in Qatar if they meet the eligibility criteria as stated in the Labour Law by the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs (MADLSA), Ministry of Labour, Government of Qatar.
Eligibility for End-of-Service Gratuity for Domestic Workers
According to Article (15) of 2017 Amendment in Qatar Labour Law, a domestic worker who has completed minimum one year of service under one employer is eligible to receive end-of-service gratuity at the end/termination of the employment contract.
On the other hand, a domestic worker is not eligible for any gratuity if they have not completed one year of continuous service under one employer. So, working for one year or more under the same employer is a mandatory condition for all domestic workers to be entitled for gratuity in Qatar.
Minimum Gratuity Amount for Domestic Workers
As per Qatar Labour Law Rules, the domestic workers can get minimum three-weeks basic pay/salary as gratuity for every completed year of service. If the employer wants to pay more as gratuity, they can pay but the gratuity amount must not be less than 3-weeks basic salary of the employee.
Gratuity Calculation Formula for Domestic Workers in Qatar
The Ministry of Labour has provided a standard formula for calculation of end-of-service gratuity for domestic workers in Qatar. In order to calculate gratuity of a domestic worker, you must know about the official formula and its particulars.
End-of-Service Gratuity = 3-Weeks Basic Salary x Number of Completed Years of Service
In above formula, 3 weeks are equal to 21 days. So, you can also write the gratuity calculation formula as under_
End-of-Service Gratuity = 21-Days Basic Salary x Number of Completed Years of Service.
At the time of gratuity calculation for domestic workers, you must consider the last basic salary of the worker/employee.
Please note that the workers are eligible to receive gratuity for all completed years of service including fraction of a year. For example: If a worker has completed 3 years & 3 months of service under one employer, they are entitled to receive gratuity for 3.25 years as per the Labour Law Rules.
How to Calculate Gratuity for Domestic Workers in Qatar
In order to calculate gratuity of a domestic worker in Qatar, you must have two important details about the worker. The first one is the last basic salary of the worker and the second one is the service period of the worker.
Let us learn how to calculate end-of-service gratuity of a domestic worker in Qatar with an illustration.
Ms Safina has worked as a domestic worker (housemaid) with her employer Ms Zahima Ishab in Qatar from 1-7-2021 to 1-1-2025. The last basic salary of Ms Safina is QR 3000, calculate her end-of-service gratuity.
So, Ms Safina’s last basic salary is QR 3000 per month and she has completed 3 years & 6 months (3.5 years) of service with Ms Zahima Ishab. Let us calculate end-of-service gratuity as per Qatar Labour Law Gratuity Formula.
End-of-Service Gratuity = 21 Days Basic Salary x No. of Completed Years of Service
Ms Safina’s Gratuity = 21 Days/30 Days x QR 3000 x 3.5 Years
= 21/30 x 3000 x 3.5
= QR 7350
So, Ms Safina is entitled to receive QR 7350 as end-of-service gratuity from her employer Ms Zahima Ishab.
When Do Domestic Workers Receive Gratuity?
The Gratuity is an end-of-service benefit for the domestic workers in Qatar. Therefore they receive the gratuity at the end of service i.e. termination of employment contract.
Is Gratuity a Part of Worker’s Salary?
No, the gratuity is not a part of the worker’s salary. It is an end-of-service benefit that is paid by the employer when the employment contract period is over or the contract is terminated by one or both parties in accordance with Qatar Labour Law Rules.
Can Employer Deduct Any Dues from Worker’s Gratuity?
Yes, the employer can deduct the dues from the worker’s gratuity as per rules. For example: If a domestic worker withdrew advance money during employment and has not returned it fully till date, the employer has the right to deduct that due amount from worker’s gratuity and pay the remaining amount to the worker.
Age Criteria for Domestic Worker Jobs in Qatar
Both the men and women are eligible to get domestic worker jobs in Qatar. The Ministry of Labour has set minimum age of 18 years and maximum age of 60 years for the domestic worker jobs in the State of Qatar.
If the employer wants to hire a domestic worker above 60 years, they have to submit a request with a valid reason and required documents to the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs. After considering the request, the Minister can allow the employer to recruit a domestic worker above the age of 60 years.
Can Employer Deny to Pay Gratuity?
As per Article (16) of the Qatar Labour Law, the employer can dismiss the domestic worker without any prior notice and deny to pay gratuity if the worker has violated the terms & conditions stated in the employment contract.
If a workers breaches the employment contract, they are not eligible for end-of-service gratuity benefit in Qatar.
Wrapping Up
The Qatar Labour Law entitles the domestic workers to receive end-of-service gratuity for all completed years of service. In order to be eligible for gratuity benefit, the domestic worker must have worked with one employer for minimum one year or longer.
To help you understand it better, I have explained the domestic workers’ right gratuity benefit, Qatar gratuity calculation formula and a complete guide on how to calculate gratuity for domestic workers in Qatar.
In case you still have a query or confusion, you can ask it in the comment section.
FAQs
Can domestic workers get gratuity benefits in Qatar?
Yes, the domestic workers can get gratuity benefit in Qatar if they have completed minimum one year of service under one employer.
How much gratuity do domestic workers get?
The domestic workers get 3-weeks (21 days) basic salary for every completed year of service as gratuity at the end of service.
Can domestic workers withdraw gratuity in advance?
No, the Qatar Labour Law does not allow any domestic worker to withdraw gratuity in advance, therefore they can receive it only after termination of the employment contract.