Job Discussion Forums

[SheikMilkShake]

Good news
Anyone arriving to the Kingdom will be, as long as there is a sponsor, will be given an iqama.

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20140820215353

"Firms get five days to appeal iqama transfer
Wednesday, 20 August 2014 - 24 Shawwal 1435 H
Fatima Muhammad
Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The Ministry of Labor is now giving private sector companies five days to object to any proposed sponsorship transfer involving their employees before information is sent to the Ministry of Interior to finalize the process.

Spokesman for the Ministry of Labor Tayseer Al-Mufaraj said the government “is keen to protect the relationship between the employer and the employee and ensure the protection of the rights of both parties.”

The ministry has set criteria under which expatriate employees have the right to transfer sponsorship without getting the permission from their employer based on the Nitaqat system, which aims to improve job Saudization.

The new objection period has been implemented based on feedback the ministry received, said Al-Mufaraj.

“This will give more time to prevent any issues that result from the transfer of expatriates without the knowledge of the sponsor.”

If the worker is new and his company is in the yellow or red zone or if the employer delayed issuing a work license or iqama (work permit) within three months of his arrival to the Kingdom, then the employee has the right to look for another sponsor as long as it meets certain Nitaqat criteria, said the spokesman.

If the worker is able to find a sponsor then he can immediately transfer his sponsorship to the new employer.

The process starts by sending the file to the Ministry of Labor, which in turn refers it to the Passports Department (Jawazat).

In case the worker is not able to find a new sponsor during the first three months of his arrival to the Kingdom, she or he can transfer sponsorship to recruitment companies or offices. This, said Al-Mufarij, will help others to benefit from these workers.

A worker who is not able to get a new sponsor is considered by law to be carrying an illegal iqama and has the right to demand compensation and payment of salary from his sponsor.

Amal Al-Hamoud, owner of a beauty salon in Taif, said she is worried about her business.

“I was recruiting 10 women on a part-time basis, only one of which was Saudi. Many left their jobs after the amnesty period (for workers to correct their status if they needed to).

“Afterward, I was still struggling to provide iqamas for a few expatriates. “However, with the new system I am not sure if they will just leave or not.”

Al-Hamoud said five days are just not enough notice for her company, which is in the red zone. “This decision, like all those of the Ministry of Labor, has the aim of closing down all small businesses.”

She said even after meeting her Saudization quota she still cannot recruit non-Saudis except after three months of hiring the nationals.

“The moment we familiarize ourselves with a new system and adjust, a new regulation pops up.”

Haitham Al-Sulaim, a human resource manager at a contracting company, believes allowing employees to transfer from one company to another is harmful to the initial sponsor.

The employee, he said, will be able to reveal work secrets and not hesitate to leave the company any time she or he gets a better offer.

He added this decision allows workers to manipulate the system and avoid contractual obligations.

He wanted employers to get at least three months’ notice so they could adjust and negotiate with the employee before making a final decision.

“This is crucial for both parties, as companies can provide a better offer, fix their status or at least look for another employee.”
============= End of article==============
I like this phrase
"A worker who is not able to get a new sponsor is considered by law to be carrying an illegal iqama and has the right to demand compensation and payment of salary from his sponsor."

Illegal iqama could mean unofficial iqama under his sponsor who sent business/visit) visa for him, I believe.

[rollingk]

. . . or it may just be gobbledygook nonsense.

[nomad soul]

[SheikMilkShake]

Under labor law, there are only 2 parties.
Employer ( owner of the business) and worker ( employee).

Labor law protects both parties, and workers from any creed, nationality or skills.
You are under labor law, will be treated and given rights as someone who cleans the streets, as long as there is a contract, under any type of visa.
In the past, many posters used to say that " if you are under business visa, you have no rights, you are illegal", etc. and that is not true.

The employment contract you signed before arriving Saudi Arabia, is the ticket for you to work in Saudi Arabia. Most of us do not know under which type of visa we entered the country nor if the sponsor would change it into iqama or not.
I know of some Americans who were within probationary period, sent back to where they came from, even they entered KSA with work visa.

Some employers recently sent out their teachers back to their home countries with full expenses paid, to apply for work visa, it is the proof that employers are responsible for your visa and obtaining iqama.
If not, Saudi employers will lose their workers and it will be a minus point for them to compete with other Saudi employers.
No workers, no business, even they have the highest wasta or power.

Under any circumstances, as long as there is a contract signed by both parties, employers need to start paying you and providing you housing, med care, from the first day of your arrival in KSA, till the day you leave, whether or not you attend to work or not ( some employers kicking teachers for hotels, keeping them in limbo for months refusing to pay salary, housing, and even fines of any expired visa, to leave the country).
or they must let you transfer to a new employer if you wish.

[veiledsentiments]

[nomad soul]

[SheikMilkShake]

Tell your sponsor, "If I go down, I'll take you with me", but say it in a poetic way.

You might be wasting your time, quoting this and that, because most Saudi sponsors or point persons do not care what your say. So, you must speak the language they understand.

[babur]

Received this.

[SheikMilkShake]

I am targeting genuine EFL teachers who have had years ( 2-3-5 yrs of ) relevant non-online qualifications and experience, not teaching American slangs to their Saudi BFs in USA.

Many so-called unskilled TEFLers come from acting background ( wonder what type of movies they made in their home countries) ( if it was "Coronation street", I would be a fan of them), nursing, lawyers, ex- US navy staff discharged under medical ground ( they were not combats, just working in the canteen or truck drivers), etc.

If you check their history, once they left KSA, they all end up in hotel work, jobless, volunteering at dog kennels, and I have never met anyone who went back to start her/his nursing career, or a legal profession career or Hollywood career, Naval /military career and most of them are under 40 age group.
By looking at these teachers, students feel that they would never work in this Uni teaching job as Saudi students know that this job is for unskilled and career-less people.

[nomad soul]