The new Human Resources Law issued by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani earlier this week provides guaranteed maternity leave benefits for Qatari working women, the Government Communications Office has said.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Government Communications Office noted that the law sanctions two months' paid maternity leave for new mothers and three months' paid maternity leave for mothers of twins.

The law also grants a five-year paid maternity leave for mothers of children with medical conditions or disabilities, provided the relevant minister approves it. The law also allows more than five years of paid maternity leave, subject to approval by the Prime Minister.

The Government Communications Office has underlined that the new law will give Qatari citizens priority in civil service and public sector jobs, reward Qataris who pursue higher education, incentivise Qatari civil service employees to remain in the workforce by introducing two more senior job categories, and encourage merit-based promotions.

The Government Communications Office noted that the new legislation is designed to accelerate the development of Qatar’s human capital as the nation makes the transition from a carbon-based to a knowledge-based economy.

Among other provisions, the new law stipulates:

* Preference for Qatari nationals for jobs in government and civil service

* Higher pay for workers who have achieved higher levels of education

* Training and development as a key condition for promotion

* Use of performance evaluations when considering job promotions

* Provision of leave for various life events, including marriage, bereavement, study, and for Muslim employees, a one-time leave opportunity to perform the Haj

* Guaranteed end-of-service benefits for employees

* Bonus incentives and accelerated promotions for employees whose performance is exceptional

The new Human Resources Law reflects the priorities of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, who, in his recent address to Qatar’s Advisory Council, called for the development of "a culture of planning, work, and accomplishment", the statement said

The statement noted that the new Law will be published shortly in the official gazette and will take effect on the date of its publication. The Executive Regulation of the new law will be issued after publication and will stipulate additional financial benefits for employees, including bonuses and allowances, as well as stipulate the guide for categorisation of public jobs, and the approximate timescale for promotion.

The Government of Qatar will continue to develop its laws to achieve the National Vision 2030 and the new Human Resources law is one of several measures the government has taken to achieve the goals of the 2030 vision, the statement said.