Other Guidelines

• There are no trade unions, but workplace-based organizations, known as workers' committees, deal with grievances, and there is a labour court to help settle employment disputes. The government encourages Qataris to join the industrial work force. Nevertheless, at present, the majority of labourers and middle-level workers are still foreigners. 
• If a Qatari citizen's salary is below the level necessary to support a family, the government will provide assistance. Foreign workers are not permitted to bring their families to Qatar unless the government determines that their salaries are high enough to support a family. 
• Women make up 7% of the work force. Those who work outside the home are often employed as teachers, nurses or clerks. However, women are being encouraged to move into new areas, including politics. In 1999, six women ran for office in Qatar's first municipal election. None of the women won, but their participation in the election was an important breakthrough.
• Business Hours. The Government of Qatar's official working hours are 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM, Saturday through Thursday. Banking hours are 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM, while private sector hours are generally 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM, Saturday through Thursday. Friday is a day of rest for all sectors, including all embassies. The U.S. Embassy hours are 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Saturday through Wednesday. 
• Holidays. Officially, Qatar uses the Gregorian calendar year for all purposes. The Hijra (Islamic) calendar is also widely used. Religious holidays vary from year to year. Eid Al-Fitr (four days) marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and Eid Al-Adha marks the conclusion of the pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca. The only fixed holiday is: Independence Day - September 3. The months from October through April are generally considered the best period for foreign business representatives to visit Qatar. The summer months are very hot and humid. Decision makers in both public and private sectors can be expected to be absent from the country during some part of the period June to September. 
• Housing. It has been a common practice in Qatar for employers in both the Government and the private sector to provide furnished accommodation for their expatriate employees. Alternatively, some employers provide housing allowances. Contrary to the 1970s and the early 1980s when a small apartment fetched a rent of US$ 5000 a month, houses are now available at about half or less of this rate. This depends, of course, upon locality, type of house and facilities. At the most recent housing complexes, three-bedroom villas are available at a monthly rent of US$ 2200, and four-bedroom villas at US$ 2,700. Qatari landlords usually require a one year lease with advance payment of six months' rent, although exceptions exist. However, such arrangements, as well as the above rates, do not apply to larger single villas and palaces built for the use of higher management, bankers and leading businessmen. Electricity, water and gardens represent additional costs. In recent years, the lease contract in some cases has included a provision for the Qatari landlord to meet the cost of basic maintenance. House rents in 1996-97 witnessed a sharp increase due to strong demand from foreign oil/gas companies. 
• As you will be living in a Muslim country, all expats are asked to respect the country’s customs and to dress sensibly outdoors. Thin strapped tops or dresses and tight clothing may attract unwanted attention.

Sources:

www.qatarrec.com

www.american.edu/carmel/SR3362A/LABOR.HTML

www.dohacollege.com/qatar.htm

www.mac.doc.gov/tcc/data/commerce_html/countries/Countries5/Qatar/CountryCommercial/1998/BusinessTravel.html

www.qatarairways.com/qatar.html

www.unc.edu/chan/qatar/FAC.html

jobs.theemiratesnetwork.com/jobseeker/me/qatar.php

www.infoprod.co.il/country/qatar1a.htm

http://www.embassy-worldwide.com/embassy/the-consulate-general-of-the-state-of-qatar-in-houston/

www.eri-executive-compensation.com/freedata/HRCodes/QATAR.htm

www.qatar-info.com/

cp.settlement.org/english/qatar/work.html

www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/qa.html/

lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/qatoc.html/