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nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Apparently, KSA is considering following Oman's lead...

Two-year ban proposed for expats leaving on exit visas
By Saeel Al Khotani, Arab News | 2 November 2014
Source: http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/653846

RIYADH--A Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) labor market committee has put forth a recommendation banning expats who have left the country on final exit visas from returning to the Kingdom for work for a period of two years. The recommendation, which will be submitted to higher authorities for approval, was adopted by the committee at a meeting hosted by the Asharqia Chamber.

“This recommendation was based on a similar successful measure taken by a neighboring Gulf country,” said Mansoor Al-Shethri, chairman of the committee. “If implemented, the measure is bound to boost nationalization in the business sector,” he said. "The recommendation is a follow-up on a previous Cabinet resolution issued in 1975 and updated in 1977, which imposes a three-year ban on expat workers who left the Kingdom in violation of their contracts.” He added: “Another clause within the same resolution stipulates a one-year ban on workers who refused to renew their contracts with their employers.”

Al-Shethri also said that the committee discussed several other issues affecting the labor market, including the recent minimum wage implemented by the Labor Ministry, the CSC and the National Labor Committee.

(End of article)

Yasuke · Joined: 10 Jan 2014 Posts: 178

So they are effectively saying: if you are employed by a company and you don't renew or abscond, you will be banned for a period time. Do you think that will improve the hiring practices or working conditions or make them worse?

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

As long as we have this person, let's manipulate, cheat and treat him badly.

MuscatGary · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 7:37 am Post subject:

As long as it stays in the direction of KSA copying Oman and not vice-versa....

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

The old NOC/LONO system - which never went away !

MuscatGary · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 9:30 am Post subject:

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

It puts a key card in the hands of the employer !

johnslat · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 1:40 pm Post subject:

Dear MuscatGary,

"But which is now being enforced rather than ignored...."

Ignored? It wasn't ignored by many, if any, during my time there - hence the necessity for "washing one's passport." (which, thanks to the new technology, won't work anymore.)

Regards,
John

eslteacher2014 · Joined: 08 May 2014 Posts: 66

I have a decent teaching job here in K.S.A. I am finalizing an a new job with a different institution in K.S.A. My current employer doesn't give iqama transfers.

I was planning on leaving on a final exit visa, and just come back to K.S.A on a new visa.....but this news could change my plans

Any thoughts?

johnslat · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 5:47 pm Post subject:

Dear eslteacher2014,

I think you're out of luck these days since Saudi's now using fingerprints and retinal scans.

"Be advised that you will be fingerprinted and undergo a retinal scan upon
arrival in the country. "

http://mideasttrvl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Guaranteed-departure-Saudi-Arabia-20131.pdf

But it's not everyone: "you may be asked to take blood testing, fingerprinting, and retinal scans. "

So when you arrived, did you get fingerprinted and scanned?

Regards,
John

eslteacher2014 · Joined: 08 May 2014 Posts: 66

Yes when I first came they took my finger prints

johnslat · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 6:35 pm Post subject:

Dear eslteacher2014,

Then, even if you "washed" your passport there's at least a chance (how BIG a chance I can't say) that you'd run into problems upon your return.

I'd call it risky, at least.

Regards,
John

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

lcanupp1964 · Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Posts: 381

Ok, Ok... What country is this? That's right boys and girls... We live in "Maybe Tomorrow If God Sees Fit" land. The article clearly states that this is a "proposed" idea. How long before it gets enacted (if it ever does)?

Things tend to stay around much longer after it is no longer required (letters of no objection) and any new policy/rule/regulation takes a long, long time to replace existing policies.

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

If you are lucky enough to teach real Saudi students i.e. professionals from hospitals etc., especially women, they will tell you that things seem to be getting better. The problem is it's taking too long, too many turkeys that [Plumpy Nut edit]