Got one of these jobs? You're banned from driving

If you're a skilled tradesmen, pharmacy assistant, or sailor, don't expect to get a driving licence in Qatar.

A new list has been compiled of 240 professions banned from driving and includes some surprising additions, including shepherds, electricians and porters, according to Qatar site, Doha News.

Others on the banned list include security guards, cooks, hairdressers, cashiers, grocery store workers and photographer assistants.

People in these trades are now barred from legally driving in the Gulf state, according to an updated list first published three years ago.

"There are so many people on the roads. Perhaps the government thinks there are so many professions which don’t need a driving license," an anonymous driving instructor told local Doha News.

The list has not been publicly shared by the government and no details have been provided surrounding the bizarre law, however, reports suggest it could relate to congestion on Doha roads.

Driving schools across the country received the new list, which relates to expatriate professionals sponsored by companies.

The new law ties in with Qatar's controversial kafala system - a scheme also mirrored in neighbouring Gulf States.

There are meant to be reforms to the system in Qatar later this year.

GCC countries face regular criticism from international rights group who accuse them of treating migrant workers - especially those from South Asian nationalities - poorly.

Earlier this year, a Qatari-funded report showed domestic workers in the state work longer hours than most people, while earning the least.

The statistics show staff in these professions worked an average of 57 hours per week, according to ministry of development, planning and statistics data.

Others including government staff, teachers and healthcare professionals, spending 40 hours a week in employment.