Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s higher authorities have approved granting the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development the authority to employ companions of expatriate workers in the Kingdom.

Expatriates' husbands or wives who are accompanying them in the Kingdom as well as a mahram (close blood relative) of expatriate working women will be allowed to be hired under certain conditions, Okaz/Saudi Gazette has learned.

The new move is part of the expansion of economic activities and professions in the Kingdom.

The higher authorities accorded the approval after examining a report prepared by the Ministry on the impact of implementing the policy of allowing work by male and female companions of the expatriate workers in the Kingdom.

According to the conditions for employing companions, they shall be qualified in various specializations and fields required for the job.

Their appointment shall be an alternative to recruitment of actually required job vacancy and that will be compatible with the terms and conditions of the Nitaqat Saudization program.

In addition to this, the employer of the companion shall fulfill all the conditions for recruitment, as well as for practicing the profession.

The companions must have passed the qualifying tests prescribed for practicing the profession in the Kingdom in accordance with the government requirements.

It is also stipulated in the conditions that it is not allowed to employ companions in the jobs that are reserved for Saudi men and women according to the lists available at the Ministry.