JEDDAH: Saudis and expatriates have welcomed the proposal by the National Society of Human Rights (NSHR) to abolish the sponsorship system saying that it would give more freedom to expatriate workers and boost foreign investment in the Kingdom.
Speaking to Arab News, Yasin Alireza, a Saudi businessman, said the new system that replaces sponsorship should be simple and provide greater freedom to guest workers in matters related to travel and switching jobs. “Let’s hope we will have a system that is less complicated,” Alireza said.
According to NSHR President Bandar Al-Hajjar, a government commission would be established under the Ministry of Labor to look after the affairs of foreign workers and a mandatory insurance scheme would be introduced to protect the rights of both employers and foreign workers.
Under the current system, Saudi nationals sponsor workers and have great latitude in work negotiations involving their employees.
“The new system would be good for employers as well because they will not be responsible for activities of their employees outside the work place,” said Alireza, who opposes the present restrictions on foreign workers.
He also called for simplifying procedures for the transfer of employees from one company to another.
“I personally welcome the plan to abrogate the sponsorship system because it is essential to ensure free movement of expatriates and encourage foreign investment,” said Abdelmenem Addas, a Saudi economist and director of Essdar Capital in Dubai. “We should not discriminate against expatriate workers. We must give them equal treatment. Expatriate businessmen and investors should have the freedom to hire qualified workers,” Addas said.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Saihati, a leading businessman in the Eastern Province, gave cautious welcome to the proposal and hoped that it would not affect the growing economic activities in the country. He also called for in-depth studies to make the new system efficient and foolproof.
Expatriates are more optimistic about the proposed system.
“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, a long-time resident in the Kingdom.
Zahid Akbar, a British teacher at Manarat Schools, said: “I feel it would be good to have more freedom of choice and job security.”
Dr. Abdullah Moopan of Al-Abeer Medical Center also favored the new system, saying it would put an end to malpractices, such as visa trade.
P.J.J. Antony, a social activist based in Jubail, said: “Even an average Saudi will welcome the new proposal as the present system is greatly misused.”
