Qatar's Labour Law (Law No. 14 of 2004) applies to both employers and workers in Qatar, and it explicitly covers the relationship between them, determining their rights and duties (Article 2). As an expat worker employed by a private company, you are generally protected under this law.
However, there are important exceptions. Article 3 lists categories excluded from the law's full provisions, including employees of government ministries, public bodies, and government-established companies. If you work for a Qatar government entity or a fully state-owned enterprise, different regulations may govern your employment rather than this Labour Law.
A key protection to know: Article 4 states that the rights in this law represent the minimum entitlements for workers. This means your employer cannot offer you a contract with terms that are worse than what the law provides — any such conditions are automatically void, even if you agreed to them before the law came into force. Always check your contract against these minimums.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a lawyer licensed in Qatar.