SOURCE :  ARAB NEWS

JEDDAH - MAR 25:  Expatriates working in the Kingdom will have to wait two years now if they want to transfer sponsorship to another employer, according to a new law.

The Labor Ministry said in an announcement on Wednesday that expatriates have to work at least two years with their present employer in order to get approval for the transfer of sponsorship to another. Under the current system, workers can seek to shift jobs after six months with their employers’ consent.

Acting Labor Minister Abdul Aziz Al-Khuwaiter has approved the new measure, which will be enforced beginning April 15. All labor offices across the Kingdom have been informed of the new decision.

Abdul Rahman Al-Bawaridi, deputy minister for labor affairs, said the decision was made after observing the movement of expatriate workers in the job market in recent years. “Some companies recruit workers in order to transfer their services to others. This practice had a negative impact on employment of Saudis,” said Al-Bawaridi. “The present decision aims at stabilizing relations between employer and worker and reducing negative aspects that have been observed in the job market.”

Muhiyuddin Hikami, chairman of the Labor Committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), said the new decision would help fight the black market in work visas. Some private institutions sell visas or transfer their workers to other firms after recruiting them, a practice that is illegal.

Abdullah Marei Bin Mahfouz, a member of JCCI board of directors, said the decision should consider the requirements of both employers and workers. He said there are certain jobs that require transfer of sponsorships in less than two years.

“The new decision is part of the government’s efforts to restructure the labor sector,” Bin Mahfouz said.

Saudi Arabia requires more foreign workers to carry out various development projects. At present there are more than six million expatriates in the Kingdom from nearly 120 countries.