Group Housing Policy - Qatar

Policy PO HR C&B
Version: 02

This policy supersedes all previous Group Housing Policies. This document will be reviewed 2 years from the date of issue/review

Prepared by: Group

Compensation and Benefits

Reviewed by: HRBPs, Group Approved by: Group DirectorHead of Administration

Human Resources

Date: March, 2011

Date: August, 2011

Date : September, 2011

Title: Policy change owner

Title: Reviewer

Title: Approver
Effective Date: 1st September,
2016
Review Date : 1st September,2018

Introduction
This policy describes the rules and standards under which Al-Futtaim Group operates with
regard to Accommodation Allowance (AA), as part of the Total Compensation Philosophy.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines and benefits with regard to
Accommodation Allowance.
Scope
Who will use this Policy
This policy covers all employees in the wholly owned companies of the Al-Futtaim Group
and DOMASCO in Qatar.
Roles and Responsibilities
The following table lists the key roles and responsibilities related to this Policy:
Role
Responsibilities
Group Compensation and Ensure the policy is:
Benefits Department /
Trained, communicated and available
Group Operations/ Group
Relevant against labour laws
Administration Services
Reviewed as per review frequency
Department
Approved as per governance
Visible in appropriate materials online and offline
Provides the business rules

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Al-Futtaim Group
Group Housing Policy - Qatar

Policy PO HR C&B
Version: 02

Line Managers/HR
Business Partners
Employees

Comply with rule-set

Recommend as per this policy
Comply with this policy

Policy
Policy Overview
The following table is an overview of the key sections in the Group Housing Policy:
Section

Description

1.

Accommodation Allowance

2.

Accommodation Loans

3.

Entitlement on Promotions

4.

Temporary Accommodation on Commencement of Employment

5.

Authorities

6.

Existing Employees

1. Accommodation Allowance
The company shall provide all the employees a monthly Accommodation Allowance as per
their band / grade entitlements. The AA shall normally be paid along with the monthly salary.
2. Accommodation Loans
a. Employees drawing AA may apply for Accommodation Loan up to and not exceeding 6
months AA once in a 12 Month period.
b. Accommodation Loans shall be recovered in equal monthly installments determined by
doubling the no. of months of the loan taken (e.g., 6 months AA loan = 12 months
installments). The employee will need to sign a declaration stipulating terms of deduction
and amount lent to him and authorize the company to make the deduction from his
payroll legally. The deduction will begin in the payroll of the following month in which
the loan is disbursed. In addition to the above, monthly recovery should not exceed 10%
of Gross salary and total recovery (including other loans) should not exceed 20% of Gross
salary to meet Wage Protection System requirements. If it exceeds the limits then the
recovery to be done up to 18 installments. New AA loan to be taken only after existing
loan is paid off.
c. All applications for Accommodation loan shall normally be supported by an
accommodation lease in the name of the employee.
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Group Housing Policy - Qatar

Policy PO HR C&B
Version: 02

d. Employees need to submit the request for Accommodation Loan to HR Department or

thru Employee Services portal along with supporting documents.
e. Exceptions to c above (where the lease is not in employees name e.g. Sharing
Accommodation) shall be made by the HR Business Partner on a case by case basis.
f. In case of termination of employment the loan recovery will be made from the final
settlement.
3. Entitlement on Promotion
On promotion, the employees will get the accommodation allowance as per their new
band/grade.
4. Temporary Accommodation on Commencement of Employment
a. All employees arriving in Qatar to take up employment with the group shall be provided
temporary accommodation in accordance with their band for an initial period as per the
Relocation Policy.
b. During the period the employee is in such accommodation the AA shall not be paid.
5. Authorities
a. Interpretation of all clauses of this policy shall be made by GDHR.
b. Changes in Accommodation Allowance (AA) shall be recommended by GDHR to the HR
Committee and then to the Chairman for approval.
c. GDHR shall have the responsibility to implement and determine all cases that fall within
policy.
6. Existing Employees
Those employees receiving existing HRA will continue to receive the same amount, unless
they are promoted, in which case they will receive the AA for their new band.
Change History
Version number

Date

Section

Description of change

01

1st October 2011

All

First Version

02

1st September 2016

Accommodation Loans

Recovery guidelines

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Group Housing Policy - Qatar

Policy PO HR C&B
Version: 02

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