Finishing your contract - Breaking news

[Sharkie]

 As Recevied.



You can go of on  your own choice after you finish your contract with the current employer. You can keep your passport with you. There will be no exit required if you resign after the contract period (unless you agree at the time of contract).
 
New law to abolish sponsor system, says Al-Gosaibi
P.K. Abdul Ghafour | Arab News
 
JEDDAH: A new law abolishing the sponsorship system and streamlining the relationship between employers and their workers will be issued "very soon," Al-Madinah daily reported yesterday quoting a Shoura Council member.
The Shoura member, who requested anonymity, however, pointed out that the new law to be passed by higher authorities would be based on the proposals of the Labor Ministry and not of the National Society of Human Rights (NSHR).
"Labor Minister Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi told a Shoura session that his ministry had presented its viewpoints regarding cancellation of the sponsorship rules and that the law would be issued very soon," the Shoura member said.
In a close-door session of the 150-member Shoura, Al-Gosaibi disclosed his ministry's plan to establish specialized companies to organize foreign work force and supervise the signing of contracts between employers and workers.
NSHR President Bandar Al-Hajjar said last week that the rights watchdog had presented to authorities a proposal to establish a government commission to look after guest workers. He also called for the abolition of the sponsorship system. "There was no coordination between NSHR and the Labor Ministry or any other party on preparing a study on cancellation of the sponsorship system," Al-Hajjar said while commenting on the Shoura member's statement.
The Labor Ministry is the legitimate agency to organize the affairs of foreign workers, he added..
Al-Hajjar said he had no information whether the Labor Ministry had prepared a similar study on the subject or not. The NSHR held last year a seminar on the rights of Saudi employers and foreign workers in the light of the sponsorship system, he said. Officials from the Ministries of Interior and Labor attended the seminar.
"We heard the viewpoints of the two ministries as well as the views of the chambers of commerce and recruitment companies on the topic," the NSHR chief said, adding that there were differences of opinion. "The NSHR study was based on our viewpoint," he explained.
Saudis and expatriates have welcomed the plan to abolish the sponsorship system saying that it would give more freedom to guest workers and attract foreign investment. Yasin Alireza, a Saudi businessman, said the new system should be simple and provide greater freedom to guest workers in matters related to travel and switching jobs.
"We all look forward to a big change in the sponsorship system. We all know it has been abused and how the rights of many non-Saudis have been seriously and continuously violated," said American Edward Flood..
 
 

[SGinJeddah]

very interesting esp for my company. i just wonder how "very soon" is.

[PhilWorldWide]

Looks like the ban on "slave trade" has finally reached KSA. (about to, not yet....)

So, does anybody knows what is the procedure for leaving before contract period is up?
I am still on visitor visa and have not signed the contract yet - better to have a good look before jump...

"Self Imprissonment" is not what I want to do at this stage of my life

Cheers

[Sharkie]

Phil,

Well if you have NO contract - you have nothing to hold you here and NO binding documents - however theoretically on a visit visa you should not be working either, so very easy for you to duck - just get on a plane and leave.
However when you sign a contract there are clauses that protect both the employee and the employer and normally include something as to how much notice etc you should give before you leave - normally 3 months for an expat when you resign or a month either way as agreed by your new employer......hmmmm!!!

So before you sign a contract read the English and Arabic (Get someone to read for you) and ensure both are the same conditions - as there have been times when they differ from time to time - For example - Transport will be given to you (E) Transport will be provided (A) SLIGHT difference however if the employer sends a taxi for you he meets his obligation - but in English we feel we will be given a car?

To cut it very short - always have a multiple visa and your passport handy.

Rest is up to you.......