Riyadh, Apr 16 (Arab News): The Ministry of Labor (MoL) will soon begin work on a project to reduce recruitment from abroad through "sale of visas." This, the ministry thinks, will provide job opportunities for Saudis and expats residing in the Kingdom, a local publication reported.

Sources told the publication that the project involves a developmental process that will include displaying recruitment applications and transfer of services or ending the contractual labor relation through the employment portal on the ministry's website.

Job opportunities will be listed on the e-employment portal that will allow employers and establishment owners to employ Saudis and activate the job nationalization process.

In the event no Saudi applies for the job, the employer will have the chance to seek recruitment of expats from inside the Kingdom by allowing the transfer of services.

Recruitment from outside the Kingdom will only be allowed in the event no expat from inside the Kingdom applies for the job. Visas will be issued in that event, according to the report. The new regulations will require applicants to obtain visas by, inter alia, providing full details of the job in terms of salary, housing benefits and allowances, insurance, the nature of the work and hours in addition to the duties and obligations of the two sides in the work contract.

The project is aimed at reducing unemployment rates; increasing job opportunities offered; eliminating fake employment and documentation of the work relationship of the involved parties, and their duties and obligations toward each other; and eliminating trade in visas.

The project allows Saudis to obtain clear details on the employment offered including compensations, benefits, job security and other issues involved.

For expats, the project will give them the necessary guarantee of their rights.