THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) yesterday reminded recruitment agencies and aspiring overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) that Qatar is implementing a “no placement fee” policy.
In its Advisory No. 24-2024, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the collection of placement fees when recruiting workers, including OFWs, is strictly prohibited in Qatar.
“The State of Qatar is considered as a non-placement fee labor-receiving country,” said Cacdac.
“The public is reminded that violation of the ‘no placement fee’ policy is a serious administrative offense with a penalty of cancellation of license,” it also said.
The DMW said the policy is in accordance with Article 33 of Qatar Law No. 14 of 2004.
“It prohibits entities licensed to recruit workers from abroad from collecting any sum for recruitment fees, expenses, or other associated costs,” noted Cacdac.
Similarly, he said the policy is also provided under DMW Department Circular No. 01 – 2023.
“It is provided that no placement fee should be charged to workers deployed to countries where the prevailing system, either by law, policy, or practice, do not allow, directly and indirectly, the charging and collection of recruitment/placement fee,” said Cacdac.
Cacdac’s statement comes weeks after Qatar expressed its interest to hire more skilled Filipino workers, such as nurses, architects, and engineers.
DMW data shows that there are approximately 250,000 OFWs based in Qatar.
