The Acting Deputy Director of the Public Authority for Manpower, responsible for the Protection Sector Affairs Dr Fahd Murad, has said the Authority is presently evaluating the possibility of allowing expatriate workers to transfer their work permit directly from one employer to another without requiring approval from the original employer.
This would be permitted if it is confirmed that the sponsor has breached the terms and conditions specified in the employment contract or any provisions of Law No. (6/2010) concerning work in the private sector, reports Al-Jarida daily.
During a press statement at an introductory visual presentation organized by the Authority, Dr Murad elaborated on ongoing considerations to streamline the process of labor transfer between employers without infringing upon the legal rights of the employer.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced approach, ensuring fairness and equity for all parties involved in the labor equation.
Regarding potential amendments to the Private Labor Law, Dr Murad clarified that while no amendments have been made thus far, the Authority is actively studying various articles of the law and collecting information to assess the need for potential changes while at the same time highlighting the ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, actively considering feedback from diplomatic missions to safeguard labor rights.
In terms of domestic workers, Murad highlighted a government policy aimed at diversifying recruitment sources rather than limiting recruitment to a few countries.
The Authority is working on signing new memorandums of understanding with multiple East Asian countries to address citizens’ and residents’ needs for domestic workers.
Dr Murad also discussed advancements in labor complaint submission procedures, mentioning the possibility for workers and employers to schedule complaint submissions through the Authority’s electronic platform. Efforts are being made to enhance complaint resolution processes and reduce delays, including the development of an individual worker file to aid in labor disputes and disagreements.
Additionally, plans are in progress, in coordination with relevant authorities, to establish a shelter center for male expatriate workers akin to the existing center for women in the Jleeb area.
The objective is to enhance shelter services through collaborative initiatives with the International Labor Organization.
Colonel Abdulaziz Al-Kandari, leading Residency Affairs Investigations at the Ministry of Interior, further disclosed the interception of a human trafficking company that illegally brought in over 2,000 expatriate workers, illustrating the prevalent issue of forged official documents in such cases. Legal action is being pursued against the offenders.