Okaz/Saudi Gazette has learned from ministry sources that the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has begun implementing the second phase of the amended mechanism for job transfers.
Foreign workers were allowed to transfer to all private sector establishments during the second phase, as opposed to individual establishments only during the first phase.
To ease the transition of a foreign worker to a new employer, the ministry updated the system for transferring workers through Qiwa. As confirmed by ministry sources, the second phase of the system update was an extension of the development of the ministry's policies and services in line with the labor market strategy, raising efficiency and worker rights.
As a result of the updated system, the new employer does not have to pay the outstanding government fees for workers transitioning to these facilities, and the previous employer must pay these arrears. A new employer is required to pay the government fee upon transferring a worker to his establishment under the updated system.
It stressed that updating the system would also stop the accumulation of unpaid amounts on the current employer, and not burden the new employer with the arrears from the previous period when he did not benefit from the worker's services.
This update will also help improve worker career paths and increase flexibility in job transfer procedures between establishments to create a more attractive labor market, according to the ministry.
Since June 9, the ministry has decided to exempt private sector companies and establishments from paying the outstanding government fees for workers who are transferring their services to these facilities. According to the ministry decision, the company or establishment from where the worker is seeking transfer of service has to pay the outstanding government dues, including work permit fees, expatriate fees (financial compensation), and fines for delays in renewing residency permits (iqama).
A decision has been activated by the ministry's Qiwa platform to charge these fees to the workers' previous employers. As a result of the decision, new enterprises can conduct their businesses without the fear of unexpected financial obligations.
Previously, the establishments seeking the transfer of workers' services had to pay the outstanding fees for work permits, expatriate levy, and fines for late renewal of iqama.
By creating an integrated and competitive labor market that achieves the objectives of the employment market strategy, the Qiwa platform enables the labor sector to access all its services unifiedly.
