Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) has announced that domestic workers in Qatar can now open their own bank accounts with QIB, directly through the bank’s award winning mobile App. The move is in line with the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) directives to support all segments of the society and promote digital banking solutions.
The QCB initiative aims to promote the principle of financial inclusion of domestic workers in Qatar, and to facilitate timely payment and access to their wages as well as easy and fast international transfers.
Domestic workers can directly download the QIB mobile App and complete the account opening journey in a few clicks. Once completed, the sponsor of the domestic worker will receive notification to approve the account opening; the account will be automatically activated with no need to physically visit any of QIB branches.
A debit card will be issued for the domestic workers, enabling them to make payments on points of sale and withdraw cash from ATMs around the globe. Their local and international transfers, as well as bills payments will be performed in a few simple steps through the QIB mobile App.
Furthermore, domestic workers will be exempted from fees or charges on issuing their cards, which will also be issued without the requirement of a minimum balance. They will also benefit from the option of receiving their salaries directly to their QIB accounts.
This service will be available for domestic workers within all categories, including helpers, home drivers, cooks, and maids, and will assist them, as well as their sponsors in managing their salaries and their day-to-day banking needs easily through the QIB mobile App.
As part of this initiative, QIB will also focus on educating the workers on how to use its mobile App to conduct banking transactions, offering the necessary guidance through all its customers’ channels and in different languages.
D Anand, QIB general manager – Personal Banking Group, said: “We are happy to announce this new end to end digital product that will serve our community tremendously. QIB is committed to provide its services to all segments of the society and to support effectively their inclusion in the banking system, providing those services in a convenient, simple and secure way is a key strategic priority as we make our customers’ experience easy while protecting their private data and money.”
Upon the end of the employment contract, the employer can cancel the worker’s bank card immediately, and the remaining balance in the card will be liquidated for the benefit of the concerned domestic worker.
To provide a safe banking experience, and in adherence with the instructions of the Ministry of Public Health, the domestic worker cards will be sent by post to the employer’s home address without any need to visit a QIB branch.
For more information, visit www.qib.com.qa.