Annual Leave and Public Holidays
Written in plain language for general understanding. This is educational content, not legal advice. Based on Qatari national laws, Emiri decrees, and ministerial decisions.
Qatari National Law
What is this right?
All workers in Qatar are entitled to paid annual leave:
- Less than 5 years of service: 3 weeks (21 days) of paid leave per year.
- 5 or more years of service: 4 weeks (28 days) of paid leave per year.
- You must complete one year of continuous service to qualify. After that, leave is earned from the start of each year.
- Your employer must pay your leave salary before you start your leave.
- Qatar has approximately 10 public holidays per year, including Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, National Day, and Sports Day. These are paid days off.
If you work on a public holiday, you are entitled to another day off or your basic wage plus 50%.
When does it apply?
- You have completed at least one year of continuous service with your employer.
- You are denied annual leave or not paid during your leave period.
- You are required to work on a public holiday without extra compensation.
What should you do?
- Request your leave in writing and keep a copy of the request.
- If your employer refuses your leave, file a complaint with the Ministry of Labour.
- Upon termination, you are entitled to payment for unused annual leave.
- Check your contract for any leave terms that are more generous than the law requires.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not forfeit your leave. Unused leave should be taken or paid out.
- Do not accept unpaid leave when the law entitles you to paid leave.
- Do not confuse sick leave with annual leave. They are separate rights.
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