Foreigners who have been working in Saudi Arabia for over eight consecutive years could be expelled as the Saudi government prepares to take more rigid measures to create jobs for its nationals—a move which could affect a significant section of the 500,000 Nepalis currently woking in the desert kingdom.   

 

According to Saudi media, the Saudi Ministry of Labour has recently proposed a new law to complement a controversial “Saudisation programme” that was introduced nearly a year ago. The programme is a reform initiative taken by the Saudi government to create more jobs for its citizens with higher salaries, while axing the number of foreign workers and dependents.  

 

Arab News on Tuesday reported that the new proposal envisions a new system that discourages both the foreign workers and their employers by different measures, including limiting the workers’ stay and denying visa to their dependents or families.

 

Saudi Arabia is the third largest labour destination for Nepali workers after Malaysia and Qatar.

 

The new plan comes only a few months after the Saudi government successfully enforced a mass amnesty programme that flushed nearly one million workers staying illegally in the kingdom.

 

According to the Nepali mission in Riyadh, around 35,000 Nepalis returned home unpunished by taking advantage of amnesty and nearly 15,000 were deported in the last two years.

 

The Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (NAFEA) said it was sad news for Nepali migrant workers. “The proposal looks very disappointing for professionals having better jobs but the provision will affect Nepali workers all across the board,” said Bal Bahadur Tamang, NAFEA chairman.

 

Officials at the Ministry of Labour and Employment refused to comment citing lack of information about the proposed plan.

 

Both the Saudis and expats have opposed the proposal, according to Arab News. They warn it would discourage foreign professionals from working in the kingdom and negatively impact on businesses.