Sick Leave in Qatar: Labour Law Sick Pay Tiers Explained

Qatar’s sick leave law provides employees with a graduated sick pay scale under the Labour Law (Law No. 14 of 2004). Employers pay full salary for the first 18 days, half salary for the next 30 days, and no salary for the final 18 days of the maximum 66-day entitlement. The system balances employer and employee responsibilities.

Key Takeaways

• Employers pay 100% of salary for the first 18 days of illness
• The rate drops to 50% for days 19–48 and 0% for days 49–66
• A medical certificate from a Qatari health facility is required from day 1
• The maximum statutory sick leave is 66 days per year
• Sick leave cannot be carried over to the next year

Qatar’s Sick Leave Entitlement

Qatar’s sick leave system is governed by the Labour Law (Law No. 14 of 2004), Articles 85–89. When an employee falls ill and is certified by a doctor, the employer must pay wages according to a graduated scale over a maximum of 66 days per year.

The entitlement is based on the employee’s continuous service with the employer. An employee must have completed the qualifying period (typically 3 months) to be eligible. The 66-day maximum applies per year of service.

Who Pays for Sick Leave?

Period	Pay Rate	Who Pays
Days 1–18	100% of salary	Employer
Days 19–48	50% of salary	Employer
Days 49–66	0% (unpaid)	Neither

Sick Leave Pay Rates

Period	Pay Rate	Source
Days 1–18	100% of salary	Labour Law Art. 86
Days 19–48	50% of salary	Labour Law Art. 86
Days 49–66	Unpaid	Labour Law Art. 86
Maximum	66 days per year	Labour Law Art. 86

The salary used for calculation is the employee’s basic salary. Allowances and bonuses may not be included unless the employment contract specifies otherwise.

Medical Certificate Requirements

Qatar requires a medical certificate from a licensed medical practitioner from the first day of illness. The certificate must be issued by a healthcare facility licensed by the Ministry of Public Health.

The certificate must specify:

• The date of examination
• The expected duration of the absence
• The diagnosis

The employee must present the certificate to the employer. For absences exceeding 3 days, the certificate must be from a government hospital or licensed clinic.

How to Calculate Sick Pay in Qatar

Example: An employee earning QAR 15,000/month basic salary is off sick for 40 calendar days.

1. Days 1–18 (full pay): QAR 15,000
2. Days 19–40 (half pay, 22 days): QAR 15,000 × 0.50 ÷ 30 × 22 = QAR 5,500

Total paid: QAR 15,000 + QAR 5,500 = QAR 20,500

The employee’s normal earnings for 40 days would have been QAR 20,000, so the sick pay covers approximately 102.5% (due to the graduated structure front-loading the payment).

The 66-Day Maximum

The 66-day maximum is a strict limit:

• If the employee exhausts 66 days and is still unable to work, the employer may terminate the employment
• The employee is not entitled to any pay for days 49–66
• Unused sick days do not carry over to the next year
• The 66-day limit applies per year of service

Employer Obligations and Penalties

Qatari employers must:

• Pay sick leave according to the graduated scale
• Verify the medical certificate
• Maintain records for at least 2 years after the employee leaves
• Register employees with the social insurance system
• Comply with the Ministry of Labour requirements

Non-compliance can result in fines from the Ministry of Labour (Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs) and potential labour court proceedings.

Comparison With Other Countries

Country	Sick Days	Pay	Certificate Required
Qatar	66 days (graduated)	100%→50%→0%	Day 1
UK	28 weeks SSP	£116.75/week	Day 7
Australia	10 days personal/carer’s leave	Full rate	2+ consecutive days
US	Varies by state	Varies	Employer policy

FAQ

What happens after the 66-day maximum?

If the employee exhausts 66 days of sick leave and is still unable to work, the employer may terminate the employment with end-of-service benefits. The employee is not entitled to any pay for days 49–66, and the employment relationship may end at the employer’s discretion.

Can the employer require a medical certificate from day 1?

Yes. Qatar requires a medical certificate from the first day of illness. For the first 3 days, the certificate can be from any licensed medical practitioner. For absences exceeding 3 days, it must be from a government hospital or licensed clinic.

Is sick leave cumulative in Qatar?

No. Unused sick days do not carry over to the next year. The 66-day entitlement resets each year of service. If the employee does not use their sick leave, the days are lost.