JEDDAH, 12 July 2005 — The Council of Ministers yesterday passed a new law that bans employment of non-Saudis as security guards at private companies and organizations. Non-Saudis must be replaced by Saudis within 90 days after the law comes into effect.
Culture and Information Minister Iyad Madani, who briefed the Saudi Press Agency on the Cabinet decisions, did not say when the new law would come into force.
Interior Minister Prince Naif, who presented the draft law for approval, will set out its executive regulations.
The new legislation is part of the government’s efforts to create more job opportunities for Saudis.
Also yesterday, Labor Minister Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi said that labor visas, which is valid for one year, will not be renewed or extended.
He said the decision was taken to prevent illegal transaction of visas and provide more jobs for Saudis.
“A committee comprising representatives of the interior, foreign, labor and finance ministries discussed the matter and decided to restrict the validity of labor visas to one year as before,” Al-Gosaibi said.
He said the committee took the decision after considering the negative effects of providing two-year validity for such visas.
The committee felt that the two-year period would allow those involved in illicit visa transactions enough time to continue their activities, while also denying Saudis new job opportunities, he added.
Gosaibi said the new decision would help the ministry reorganize the labor market and manpower. “We have changed the validity of labor visas issued to individuals and companies on the recommendation of the committee and they will not be renewed or extended after one year,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet meeting expressed its satisfaction over the recent political developments in Sudan such as the signing of the constitution and swearing-in of two vice presidents and said they would help strengthen national unity and stability.
While approving annual reports of the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD) for 2001 and 2002, the Cabinet urged the commission to expedite its efforts to construct new land and marine reserves.
“Citizens must be allowed to make use of such wildlife reserves for tourism under specific regulations,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the Cabinet as saying.
The reserves as well as new tourist projects surrounding them would provide job opportunities to people.
The meeting approved a new law for National Guard military uniform, which prohibits removal of head cover at certain occasions and writing of the Qur’anic verses or the name of God or parts of Hadith on the dress. It also instructs authorities to conduct regular inspections to make sure that the militarymen follow the dress code.
The Cabinet increased the amount of monthly stipends given to students of the Civil Aviation Training Institute to SR600 in the first academic year and SR800 in the second year. Only regular students, who have not received any warnings, are entitled.
The Cabinet appointed Ibrahim ibn Mohamed Al-Mufleh director general of the Zakah & Revenue Department at the Finance Ministry, Dr. Abdul Aziz ibn Mohamed Al-Mansour secretary-general of the Higher Educational Policy Committee, and Saud ibn Ali Al-Hussein, director of the office of the president of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.
