THE SPONSORSHIP OF 980 PEOPLE WAS CHANGED WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE EMPLOYER

Riyadh - The Labor Office under the Ministry of Manpower and Social Development in Riyadh last year (Hijra 1441) transferred the sponsorship of 980 foreign workers to other institutions without the permission of the employer. The sponsorship of workers who have not renewed their Iqama after the expiry date and who have not been paid for three consecutive months is allowed to be transferred to other institutions without the permission of the employer. 

The Riyadh Labor Office also issued final exits last year to 12,433 foreigners without the permission of sponsors. The Riyadh Labor Office granted work permits to 263 doctors and engineers to relocate. The Riyadh Labor Office completed the process on 16,706 applications received for the cancellation of Huroub last year. The Labor Office completed the proceedings on applications from employers and foreign workers to remove the fake and non-fake hurub. 

The Riyadh Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said foreign workers can approach the Labor Office directly without having to approach their employer for a work permit for a final exit visa. It stipulates that the foreigner's iqama or work permit must have expired. 

The employer does not have the right to remove the foreign worker after twenty days from hurub except in special circumstances. The foreign worker also has the right to cancel the hurub if the foreign worker is able to establish that the hurub was forged by the employer. The law does not allow a foreign worker to return to his or her former employer in such circumstances. Instead, the foreign worker can transfer the sponsorship to the new employer. 

Services from the Ministry of Manpower and Social Development will be suspended for one year, except for renewal of work permit for the first time, if it is proved that the foreign worker has been forged.

 The Riyadh Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said that services from the Ministry will be suspended for three years, except for the renewal of work permits for the second offender, and for five years, except for the renewal of the work permit for the third offender.