HR software in Doha for small businesses
In Qatar, salaries have been paid into employees' accounts at financial institutions in the country through the Wage Protection System since 2015, and workers of every nationality have had a minimum wage since 2021. Companies licensed in the Qatar Financial Centre follow their own employment regulations. HR FLARE keeps people, leave and QAR payroll together.
What is the minimum wage in Qatar?
Under Law No. 17 of 2020, applied since March 2021, the minimum basic wage is QAR 1,000 a month. If the employer does not provide housing and food, it pays allowances of at least QAR 500 for housing and QAR 300 for food. It applies to workers of all nationalities in all sectors, including domestic workers.
Who regulates employment in Doha?
Most small companies fall under the Ministry of Labour; the QFC is a separate system.
| Situation | Authority | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Private sector companies | Ministry of Labour | Labour Law No. 14 of 2004 as amended; salaries through the Wage Protection System |
| Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) | The QFC Employment Standards Office | The QFC Employment Regulations, and Data Protection Regulations updated in December 2021 |
| Qatari employees | General Retirement and Social Insurance Authority | Registration and contributions with the authority |
The Wage Protection System in Qatar
Law No. 1 of 2015 amended the Labour Law so that wages must be transferred in Qatari riyals to the employee's account at a financial institution operating in the country. Employees on monthly or annual pay must be paid at least once a month, and everyone else at least every two weeks. The system's regulations were issued by Ministerial Decision No. 4 of 2015.
HR FLARE does not create the Qatar WPS file today. It keeps each employee's payroll record, and the bank prepares the file and pays the salaries.
The minimum wage
Qatar was the first country in the region to adopt a non-discriminatory minimum wage covering every nationality and sector. It is QAR 1,000 basic, plus QAR 500 for housing and QAR 300 for food if the employer does not provide them. A Minimum Wage Commission reviews its impact and proposes adjustments.
Leave, end of service and holidays
Friday is the weekly rest day and many companies add Saturday. Working hours are 48 a week, and 36 in Ramadan. Annual leave is three weeks for under five years of service and four weeks after that. End of service gratuity is at least three weeks' wage for each year after a full year of service. Work out balances with the annual leave calculator (Arabic).
Private sector holidays: three days for Eid al-Fitr, three days for Eid al-Adha, National Day on 18 December, National Sports Day on the second Tuesday of February (10 February in 2026), plus three days chosen by the employer. From 1 June to 15 September, work in open areas is banned from 10 am to 3:30 pm, including bike and motorcycle delivery.
Typical HR tasks in Doha
- Checking every wage meets the minimum, with housing and food allowances where not provided in kind.
- Paying salaries on time through the Wage Protection System.
- Choosing the three employer designated holidays and telling staff.
- Moving outdoor and delivery work outside the summer ban hours.
- Calculating annual leave at three or four weeks depending on service.
How HR FLARE helps in Doha
Real capabilities in the product today. The free plan covers up to 5 employees.
Payroll in QAR
Gross, deductions, net and payslips in QAR, with a full record of every run.
Public holidays
Islamic holidays are pre-computed from the Umm al-Qura calendar, and you shift any date to match the official announcement in Qatar.
Configurable weekend
Friday and Saturday or any days your company uses, and leave is counted on that basis.
Hijri dates
Dates show in Hijri next to Gregorian, which makes Ramadan and Eid planning easier.
Arabic and English
A full right to left Arabic interface, and every user picks their own language.
AI assistant and MCP
Ask about your team in your language, or connect HR FLARE to Claude or ChatGPT over MCP.
What HR FLARE does not do
- No Qatar WPS file: your bank prepares the file and pays salaries; HR FLARE keeps the payroll record.
- No pension calculation: contributions for Qatari employees to the General Retirement and Social Insurance Authority are calculated outside HR FLARE.
- Data location: data is hosted in Europe; in-country hosting is not available.
Frequently asked questions
Do salaries have to go through the Wage Protection System in Qatar?
Do QFC companies follow the Qatar Labour Law?
How much annual leave does an employee get in Qatar?
When does the midday work ban apply in Qatar?
Does HR FLARE create the WPS file for Qatar banks?
Sources
- ILO: Qatar adopts a non-discriminatory minimum wage
- ILO: Recent measures to strengthen wage protection in Qatar
- Qatar Labour Law No. 14 of 2004 (PDF)
- Squire Patton Boggs: Labour Law amendments and WPS enrolment deadline
- Clyde & Co: Employment disputes in the QFC
- Clyde & Co: QFC updates its data protection law
- The Peninsula: Qatar lifts midday work ban
- Emerhub: Public holidays in Qatar
Last reviewed 30 September 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice: always confirm with the official authority.
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