Job Discussion Forums

[nomad soul]

Iqama transfer without sponsor’s consent
Saudi Gazette | 2 May 2014
Source: http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20140503203888

TAIF — Expatriate workers will soon be able to change their sponsorship without their current employer’s approval and work for another employer in the Kingdom, Al-Madinah daily reported. The Ministry of Labor will enforce the new decision within the next few months to provide expatriates with more flexibility when it comes to job change. However, the worker will only be able to do so when his employment contract with the current employer expires and based on the contract’s terms and conditions. The relaxed law will increase competitiveness between Saudi and non-Saudi labor as salaries of expatriates will increase. Employers will also compete with one another to attract Saudi and non-Saudi labor, creating equal job opportunities for all.

(End of article)

[plumpy nut]

The best news I've ever heard hear.

[nomad soul]

I doubt there will be hordes of teachers transferring from one sketchy contracting company to another of equal or lesser sketchiness. This decision would likely appeal more to those going from a direct-hire situation to the same with a new employer as well as those teachers whose solid qualifications get them from a contracting company and into a direct-hire spot. Moreover, transferring to the new employer shouldn't entail heading back to one's home country and going through the visa process again. But I could be off---this is a wait-n-see situation.

[rollingk]

It's a wait and see indeed. So much is talked about to make the market fairer for workers that simply never transpires. Laws are passed and never enacted and are forgotten.

However, as to direct hire vs. sketchy recruiters, I'd think that if something does come of this plan then all employers will probably become more accountable, including direct hires, which can be quite sleazy as well if locals are involved.

[scot47]

"Plans"

[trapezius]

[gorkomi]

Saudi Arabia is using foreign workers to help them adapt to working with the West and keeping up with the modern world. It's in their best interest to stretch that to all areas. Who knows; this may lead to a revised medical report for visas- one which does not require us to poop into jars for diseases that no one in the West ever gets anyway.

[plumpy nut]