Saudi Arabia launches labor reforms, regulates exit and re-entry visas Executive Rules and Regulations on Labor Reform Measures: Details

Saudi Arabia launches labor reforms, regulates exit and re-entry visas Executive Rules and Regulations on Labor Reform Measures: Details

 December 03, 2020

 Saudi Gazette Report

RIYADH - Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development will be issue administrative regulations for the historic labor reform initiative recently announced by the ministry, according to a senior ministry official.

Satam al-Harbi, deputy minister for inspection and work environment development, said the move was a continuation of the ministry's previous efforts to improve labor marketing to see strong economic growth in the kingdom.

 He made the remarks while addressing a virtual workshop organized by the State Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development to highlight the initiative and its various implications. The Chamber is represented by its Human Resources and Labor Market Committee.

 The ministry launched a labor reform initiative on November 4th, reforming the 70-year-old sponsorship system. The move increases job mobility and regulates the issuance of exit and re-entry visas and final foreign visas without the employer's consent. This applies to all types of migrant workers except five types, such as private drivers, home guards, domestic workers, shepherds and farmers in the financial sector or the private sector.

 Al-Harbi said the labor reform initiative seeks to increase the attention of the labor market, and the ministry has benefited from international experience in developing the initiative. The ministry discussed various aspects of the reforms in detail and held meetings with more than 700 employers to share their views on how to further improve the contractual relationship between employers and employees so as to protect the rights of both parties. Labor agreements, "he said.

 Al-Harbi said the initiative would take effect in private sector enterprises on March 14, 2021, noting that the initiative includes three key services - job movement, outbound and re-entry visas, and Final foreign visa. 

 The move is expected to have a positive economic impact in terms of flexibility and growth in the labor market, and will help achieve the country's Vision 2030 goals in developing human capabilities and the work environment.

 Al-Harbi reviewed the modalities and conditions for the implementation of the three major services involved in the initiative. "The new initiative allows job migration to allow migrant workers to move to another job without the need for an employer's consent when their employment contract expires. 

Migrant workers through exit and reentary service The last exit visa service allows the migrant worker to leave the country during the validity of the work contract, while informing him electronically, allowing him to travel outside the country with the submission of the application. 

 Enables or states with the worker carrying out all the consequences of the termination of this Agreement immediately after its termination Except for the possibility of leaving. 

In his speech, Hani Al-Majil, Deputy Minister of Engineer Labor Policies, said the move was aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the labor market. "In addition to holding meetings with workers to get their views, the provisions of the Labor Law will also be reviewed.

The initiative was developed after several meetings with stakeholders in the private sector and was based on study and research. International best practices were also included in this area.

 By them, fig. Mansoor Al-Shehri, head of the Human Resources and Labor Market Committee at the Riyadh Chamber, said the workshop was part of a partnership between the ministry and the chamber, which aims to shed light on new rules and regulations, and decisions.

 Labor market "The move seeks to improve the working environment and open up new avenues for able-bodied Saudis," he said, stressing the need to implement the three services in a way that all parties Guarantee the rights of

 In addition to setting the standard for flawless expulsion and re-entry visa service in the workshop, the implementation of the three services and their implications for employers, in particular the payment of compensation, related to permitting the movement of workers. , Was discussed. And keep the Establishment's secrets in accordance with Article 83 of the Labor Law.