Saudi Arabia to restrict expats' stay to eight years?

Riyadh, Jan 7: Saudi Arabia might restrict foreign workers' stay in the country to a maximum of eight years under a proposed law to create jobs for its citizens, a move expected to affect a large number of Indians.

The proposed law has been floated by the Labour Ministry which is studying new proposals to expand the Nitaqat law in its bid to reduce the number of foreign workers and dependents besides creating more jobs for citizens with higher salaries.

An expat worker living in Saudi with his wife and two children will be considered as two foreign workers under the proposed system. A couple will accumulate 1.5 points and will incur a quarter of a point per child, the Arab News reported.

According to the new law, three points are the maximum a foreign worker can earn. The law will not apply to nationals who cannot be deported from the country, like Palestinians.

An expat receiving a salary of 6,000 riyals (USD 1,600) and more will be equivalent to 1.5 points in the new system, but professionals whose degrees have been attested by Saudi authorities will be exempted from the salary rule.

An expat who completed four years in the lunar calendar will count for 1.5 points in the Nitaqat system and that this will be calculated from the fifth year after receiving the work permit issued by the ministry.

Those who have completed five years will earn two points, while those working for six years will earn two-and-a-half points and those who have completed seven years will earn three points at the start of eighth year after receiving their work permits.

The new law was proposed in the wake of a study that showed unskilled workers stayed for more years than skilled workers in Saudi, the report said.

Many Saudis and expats have opposed the proposal, saying it would discourage foreign professionals from working in the Kingdom and leave a negative impact on businesses.

"The move to discourage foreigners to bring their families is not a good idea," said Ibrahim Badawood, managing director of ALJ Community Initiatives.

Rafeek Younus, vice president and managing director of Saihati Group, said the ministry should avoid decisions that would send a wrong message to businesses and investors.

"The new labour regulations have already affected the profitability of businesses," he said.

The new labour policy Nitaqat was part of Saudi Arabia's steps to expand job avenues for its nationals. Under the policy, 10 per cent of jobs even in small and medium business establishments should be reserved for Saudi nationals.

The 2.8 million plus strong Indians in Saudi Arabia is the largest expatriate community in the country.

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

Lokayukta team arrives at disputed plot; CM likely to get ED summons

News Network

October 1,2024

Mysuru, Oct 1: The Karnataka Lokayukta team on Tuesday arrived at the disputed plot in Mysuru and began investigation into the MUDA case against CM Siddaramaiah and his wife, news agency ANI reported. Snehamayi Krishna, the complainant in the case was also present with the team.

Sources stated that ED sleuths might issue a notice to CM Siddaramaiah at any time and issue summons to him for questioning. The sleuths are also keenly watching the movements of CM Siddaramaiah’s close associates and relatives, including a cabinet minister in connection with the MUDA scam.

Sources further said that there is a possibility of the ED conducting raids across the state on offices and residences of close associates of CM Siddaramaiah. The ED has also gathered information on bank accounts and financial transactions of CM Siddaramaiah and his associates.

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Monday registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), equivalent to an FIR by the police, against CM Siddaramaiah over the alleged irregularities in the allotment of 14 sites to his wife Parvathi B.M. by the Mysore Urban Development Authority. The ED registered the case taking cognisance of the FIR registered against the Chief Minister by the Lokayukta police on September 27.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Lokayukta probing the MUDA case has also expedited the probe. The sleuths led by Mysuru Lokayukta SP T.J. Udesh have visited the controversial land on the outskirts of Mysuru city. The petitioner, Snehamayi Krishna, also accompanied the team.

The move of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife to return 14 sites allotted by the MUDA to her has triggered a debate. BJP MLA from Mysuru T.S. Srivatsa stated on Tuesday that the move of CM’s wife is not acceptable. "The two commissioners who colluded in the MUDA scam are roaming freely even today," he said.

"CM Siddaramaiah first claimed that there was no scam at all. Later, he formed a commission and now there is an FIR against him. After committing the mistake, you offer to return the sale deed. The time is up. He will have to tender his resignation and I am sure he won’t be in the position until Dasara festivities," MLA T.S. Srivatsa stated.

T.J. Abraham, one of the petitioners in the MUDA case said, “I had demanded the MUDA commissioner to take back the allotted sites. He had written back saying the process would be initiated. They were waiting for the investigation report."

"CM Siddaramaiah has not approached the division bench or the Supreme Court to challenge the order against him because there is nothing to be challenged. Returning sites is not a big sacrifice. The Chief Minister has lost it," Abraham stated.

Comments