On September 9, 2026, Qatar’s Ministry of Labour launched the first phase of 'Moawen', an official digital platform designed to oversee the recruitment of domestic workers. The system integrates employers, licensed recruitment agencies, and domestic workers into a single traceable digital process, spanning from the initial recruitment request and contract signing to the worker's arrival in Qatar and the execution of the official employment contract. Employers can initiate the process after receiving Ministry of Interior approvals. The platform offers three recruitment methods: hiring a specifically known worker, requesting offers from approved agencies, or browsing and comparing offers from multiple agencies. A key feature of Moawen is the agency rating system, which tracks performance indicators based on actual employer experiences, helping to combat recruitment fraud and impersonation. Users are cautioned that the official domain is moawen.mol.gov.qa, accessed via Qatar’s National Authentication System (NAS).
Future phases of Moawen are expected to include features for workers to view their contracts, as well as an AI-powered chatbot to educate workers on their rights. The platform also aims to streamline electronic salary transfers to ensure a documented trail of payments, which aids in resolving wage-related disputes.
For Indian workers, the Moawen platform does not replace existing Indian regulatory requirements.
Indian workers and employers must still adhere to India’s eMigrate process, emigration clearance (ECR), and utilize registered Recruiting Agents. Female workers under 30 in the ECR category remain subject to existing Indian emigration restrictions. The Ministry of External Affairs advises verifying the registration status of any recruitment agent via the eMigrate portal before sharing passports or payments. Workers should ensure the terms in their official employment contract in Qatar match the terms agreed upon in India. In cases of disputes, salary issues, or welfare concerns, Indian workers in Qatar can contact the Embassy of India in Doha via the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayta Kendra (PBSK) at +974-44953500, available Saturday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, or via email at labour.doha@mea.gov.in.
