Abdulrahman Al-Misbahi

Okaz/Saudi Gazette



JEDDAH — Establishments under Nitaqat’s low green category will be allowed to transfer sponsorship of their workers into higher category.



The decision will be effective for six months starting from the beginning of the new Hijra year, Dr. Mifrej Al-Huqbani, deputy minister of labor, said here on Sunday.



Sponsorship transfer will be allowed provided it does not affect the classification of the firm, he said.



The decision conforms to the ministerial directive on restricting the right to recruit workers from abroad. This restriction does not apply on companies which have been exerting all efforts to achieve the Saudization goals of the ministry.



Also beginning the next lunar year establishments in the middle green or higher zone wanting to expand their business will be issued visas to recruit workers from abroad, Al-Huqbani said.



Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labor has approved a draft decision to organize the transfer of expatriate workers between different entities of one parent company.



The decision is effective July 28, the Saudi Press Agency said.



The ministry said the decision has been taken upon request from many firms to rectify the status of their workers in view of the inspection raids on establishments.



The ministry said implementation of the decision is restricted to firms that have excelled in Saudization process.