7. GOVERNMENT
Constitutional Monarchy
The Emir of Qatar is the head
of state and head of government.
It is technically a constitutional
monarchy, as it has a constitution.
Despite this, it is absolute
monarchy in practice.
8. TERRAIN
mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and
gravel, with some low hills and a central limestone plateau.
9. CLIMATE
Summer: May to September
(Daily Temperature: 40 degrees
Celsius and more)
Winter: November to May
(Daily Temperature: 15 to 35
Degrees Celsius
Spring: March to April
(Sandstorms and rainstorms)
12. LANGUAGES
Arabic (official)
English commonly used as a second language
Assalamu Alaykum! Sumainyo nawa ang
kapayapaan!
Peace be upon
you.
َلَع ُمَالَّسالْمُكْي.
Wa alaykumus
salam!
At sumainyo rin ang
kapayapaan!
Peace be upon you
too.
ال ُمُكْيَلَع َوُمَالَّس.
Sabaahal-khair! Magandang umaga po! Good morning. ْيَخْال ُحاَبَصر.
Sabaahan-nour! Magandang umaga rin
po!
Good morning
too.
ْوُّنال ُحاَبَصر.
Masaa-al khair! Magandang hapon po! Good afternoon! ْيَخْال ُءاَسَمر.
Masaa-an nour! Magandang hapon din ! Good afternoon
too.
ْوُّنال ُءاَسَمر.
Kayfa haaluka ? Kumusta po kayo? How are you? كُلاَح َْفيَكَ/
؟ك
13. RELIGIONS
Official State Religion – Wahhabi Sunni Islam
Other - Sunni and Shi’a Muslims
Christians
Hindus
small groups of Buddhists and Baha’is
15. PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
New Year’s Day
Early March Bank Holiday (only for Banks)
Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
Qatar National Day
16. WORKING DAYS & HOURS
Government offices: 6:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Private establishments: 8:00 am to 12:00 noon, and 4:00 pm to 8: 00 pm.
Friday and Saturday are weekend holidays.
18. QATAR COMMUNICATION
When calling from
Qatar to the Philippines
Dial 00 + 63 + Area Code +
Telephone Number
When calling from Philippines
to Qatar
Dial 00 + 974 + Area Code +
Telephone Number
Internet Country Code .qa
Time Difference Philippines is five (5) hours
ahead of Qatar
20. DOs IN QATAR
• Be polite when
conversing with a
Qatari person.
• Dress modestly.
21. • Ask for permission before
photographing a Qatari elderly,
female or a person in the police
or military.
• Always carry identification
(photocopy of passport or
residence permit).
DOs IN QATAR
22. • Don’t back away when a Qatari stand very close to you
during conversation.
• Don’t pull away if a Qatari person (of the same sex as
yours) holds on to your hand e.g. when walking.
DON’Ts IN QATAR
23. • Don’t eat, drink or smoke
in public and in front of any
Muslim during Ramadan.
• Don’t wear revealing
clothing.
• Tattoos should be covered
up and piercings (other
than earrings) are not
acceptable.
DON’Ts IN QATAR
24. • Gambling is forbidden.
• No PDA (Public Display of
Affection).
• Don’t eat with your left hand -
use of the left hand is associated
with personal hygiene!
DON’Ts IN QATAR
25. • Don’t approach a female for
information or directions if you
are a man.
• Don’t take photographs of
sensitive sites such as military
bases, airports and seaports.
• Don’t sit with the soles of your
shoes or feet pointing at a Qatari.
DON’Ts IN QATAR
26. • Remember that pork products and
pornography are banned in Qatar.
• Use and distribution of alcohol is strictly
regulated.
• Don’t drink and drive and drive. Qatar
has a zero-tolerance policy when it
comes to driving under the influence of
alcohol.
DON’Ts IN QATAR
27. PERTINENT LABOR LAWS
• You need a
residency visa to
work in Qatar.
• Multiple exit and re-
entry visa cannot be
applied until you
receive a Residency
Permit.
28. PERTINENT LABOR LAWS
• Women can work without restrictions in Qatar.
However, several professional sectors are reserved
for women (secretarial, nursing, education etc.)
29. PERTINENT LABOR LAWS
• With regard to salaries, there is no minimum
wage.
• Given the exemption of income tax, wages are
generally very attractive in the country.
30. Estimated number of Filipinos
0
Total
a. Permanent residents
15,000
b. Temporary residents
170,000
c. Irregular/Undocumented Migrants
13,900
TOTAL 198,900
STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON OVERSEAS FILIPINOS
Source : Report to Congress by DFA, 2014.
31. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY OFWs
Company- based workers
Non/delayed payment of salaries
Crowded accommodation
Contract violations on wage
Delaying the issuance of resident permit/ exit permit
Personal problems (bank loans)
32. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY OFWs
Non-compliance by the
sponsors/employers with the agreed terms
and conditions of the employment contract
such as :
Amount of salary is only around $300-325
instead of $400/month
Working hours of more than eight (8) hours
per day
Not given day- off
Delayed payment of salary
Strict laws on immorality
Mistreatment
Few cases of Physical abuse
Sexual harassment and sometimes rape
Absconding
Confiscation of passports by employers
Non-issuance of iqamas (Residence ID)
Language barrier (for new arrivals)
Required to work in other houses of
relatives of the sponsors
For Household service workers (HSWs)
33. United Filipino Organizations in Qatar (UFOQ) - umbrella organization
1. Alpha Phi Omega International Service Fraternity & Sorority -
Alumni Association of Qatar
2. Caviteños sa Qatar
3. Foundation of Filipino Workers World Wide
4. Ilonggo BEEZZ Qatar
5. King of Kings Christian Fellowship
6. Oriental Mindoreños Association Qatar
7. Pinoy Expats Auto Club for Enthusiasts – Qatar
8. Philippine Nurses Association Qatar
9. Philippine Professional Organization Qatar
10.Pinoy Heart Radio Information Sheet
Filipino Community Organizations in Qatar
34. 11.Reformed & United Guardians Brotherhood International Inc.
12.Sarong Boses – Qatar
13.Scouts Royale Brotherhood Qatar Alumni Association
14.United Architects of the Philippines Qatar Chapter
15.United Sorsoganons – Qatar
16. Bantay at Kasangga ng OFW Qatar Chapter
Filipino Community Organizations in Qatar
Saudi coins are called “halalahs.”
100 halalahs is equal to 1 Riyal
Bank notes are printed in Arabic on one side and English on the reverse side.
Exchange Rate:
1PHP = 11.348300 SAR (as of August 23, 2011)
audi coins are called “halalahs.”
100 halalahs is equal to 1 Riyal
Bank notes are printed in Arabic on one side and English on the reverse side.
Exchange Rate: 1PHP = 11.348300 SAR (as of August 23, 2011)
Country Location:
Qatar is a small, thumb shaped peninsula, located into the Persian Gulf from the east side of the Arabian Peninsula.
Border Countries:
Saudi Arabia is at its west and the United Arab Emirates at its south.
Land Area:
11,437 sq. km.
(A bit smaller than Palawan)
Independence: September 3, 1971.
Constitution: Approved by popular vote
In 2003; came into force June 2005.
Branches:
Executive--Council of Ministers.
Legislative--Advisory Council
Judicial--independent.
Independence: September 3, 1971.
Constitution: Approved by popular vote
In 2003; came into force June 2005.
Branches:
Executive--Council of Ministers.
Legislative--Advisory Council
Judicial--independent.
Sunny all year round.
May - September: Summer, desert; hot, dry; humid and sultry
November – May: Winter, pleasantly mild and dry
Spring and autumn also usually bring pleasantly warm weather.
December –January: Sandstorms throughout the year and occasional rainstorms
Average Temperature:
38°C - 42°C during daytime summer, 18°C at night.
34°C in daytime winter,10°C at night.
Sunny all year round.
May - September: Summer, desert; hot, dry; humid and sultry
November – May: Winter, pleasantly mild and dry
Spring and autumn also usually bring pleasantly warm weather.
December –January: Sandstorms throughout the year and occasional rainstorms
Average Temperature:
38°C - 42°C during daytime summer, 18°C at night.
34°C in daytime winter,10°C at night.
Sunny all year round.
May - September: Summer, desert; hot, dry; humid and sultry
November – May: Winter, pleasantly mild and dry
Spring and autumn also usually bring pleasantly warm weather.
December –January: Sandstorms throughout the year and occasional rainstorms
Average Temperature:
38°C - 42°C during daytime summer, 18°C at night.
34°C in daytime winter,10°C at night.
Arabic is the official language.
English as well as many other languages like Hindi, Pashto, Malayalam, Punjabi, Urdu, Sindhi, Balochi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Tagalog, and Persian are widely spoken.
Islam is the predominant religion.
Non-citizens are Sunni or Shi'a Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, or Bahá'ís.
Hindu community is almost exclusively Indian.
Buddhists include South, Southeast, and East Asians.
Bahá'ís come from Iran.
Arabic is the official language.
English as well as many other languages like Hindi, Pashto, Malayalam, Punjabi, Urdu, Sindhi, Balochi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Tagalog, and Persian are widely spoken.
Islam is the predominant religion.
Non-citizens are Sunni or Shi'a Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, or Bahá'ís.
Hindu community is almost exclusively Indian.
Buddhists include South, Southeast, and East Asians.
Bahá'ís come from Iran.
Arabic is the official language.
English as well as many other languages like Hindi, Pashto, Malayalam, Punjabi, Urdu, Sindhi, Balochi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Tagalog, and Persian are widely spoken.
Islam is the predominant religion.
Non-citizens are Sunni or Shi'a Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, or Bahá'ís.
Hindu community is almost exclusively Indian.
Buddhists include South, Southeast, and East Asians.
Bahá'ís come from Iran.
Saudi coins are called “halalahs.”
100 halalahs is equal to 1 Riyal
Bank notes are printed in Arabic on one side and English on the reverse side.
Exchange Rate:
1PHP = 11.348300 SAR (as of August 23, 2011)
audi coins are called “halalahs.”
100 halalahs is equal to 1 Riyal
Bank notes are printed in Arabic on one side and English on the reverse side.
Exchange Rate: 1PHP = 11.348300 SAR (as of August 23, 2011)
Most of the modes of public transportation in Qatar are owned by a company called Mowasalat.
Bus: a new fleet of modern, air-conditioned buses reaches main towns.
Taxi: There is a choice between the old orange and white cars or newer, slightly more expensive sea-blue taxis. Can be hired on an hourly basis, but in this case it's better to negotiate the fee in advance. Main source of public transport within Doha.
There are a number of private limousine rental companies that offer cars on hire for local transport in Qatar. Car rental prices in Qatar are about QR 120 per day, and fuel prices are unbelievably cheaper.
Qatar Airways - operates the biggest number of flights to Qatar. It is the prime
connecting link for getting into Qatar using air travel. Qatar airline network
reaches more than 70 international destinations.
Doha International Airport - comprises three mosques, a large duty-free area
and a 15,000 feet runway that is considered to be one of the longest for a civil
airport.
The Qatari people are renowned for their national pride, boundless hospitality and seemingly limitless generosity. They are courteous, respectful people who place much faith in family values and have impeccable taste, manners and etiquette.
The Qatari people are renowned for their national pride, boundless hospitality and seemingly limitless generosity. They are courteous, respectful people who place much faith in family values and have impeccable taste, manners and etiquette.
The Qatari people are renowned for their national pride, boundless hospitality and seemingly limitless generosity. They are courteous, respectful people who place much faith in family values and have impeccable taste, manners and etiquette.
