Qatar announces job nationalization drive

Doha: Qatar has said private and public sector companies must reserve at least 20 percent of jobs to nationals, in a bid to increase employment for its citizens.

The job nationalization drive was announced by the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Hassan Al Dhabit Al Dosri on Qatari TV on Saturday, who said companies had until March next year to implement the directive.

Al Dosri also addressed the issue of wide disparities in wages in government departments and said a committee headed by the prime minister was looking into it.

The Qatar government has been working to train young nationals to compete in the country's thriving private sector.