In a major move aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in recruitment of foreign workers, particularly in positions like watchmen, drivers, farm workers and house-maids, the government has decided to bring in a new system for granting visas.

The new policy is expected to minimize ordeals faced by expatriate from these segments as their grievances can be addressed by effective mechanism under the labor ministry, sources told Arab News.

In the recently concluded job correction campaign, these categories of workers were found to constitute a major chunk that had grievances.

Under the new system, the role of Saudi citizens will be reduced to a large extent when it comes to visas and all major processes for granting visas and recruitment process will be carried out by short-listed companies approved by the labor ministry.

Under the new system, granting visa under domestic category such as driver, watchman, house-maid or cleaner is linked to the financial position of the employer or applicant for visa.

If he or she is an employee, then they should have a minimum monthly salary of SR 5000 or average bank balance of SR 35,000. Saudi citizens in private sector have to furnish their GOSI number to prove their salary.

However, anyone intending to hire more than one and a maximum of four helpers at home, the minimum salary should be SR 8000 and average bank balance of SR 85,000. These measures are intended to ensure the employer has financial capability to maintain the workers.

Agricultural farm workers or shepherd visas have also been streamlined, with applicants having to submit supporting documents through Ministry of Agriculture, which again will be verified through electronic system for the extent of cultivation and number of animals.

The labor ministry, however, has stopped granting visas to building watchmen category, in cases where the owner has multiple buildings or properties. He will then have to apply in the commercial category of building maintenance and will not be considered in the domestic category, the sources said.

After obtaining authorization from prospective employers, mega companies can submit requests for visas through the web portal of the labor ministry, and after scrutiny and verification of financial position and past record, visas will be granted. If any applicant is found to have violated provisions, then it will decline the request.

Elaborate arrangements are being made by authorities to redress any grievance by workers also provisions in place if violation of employment contract by worker to ensure interest of Saudi employer. Sources also told that two exclusive offices at Jeddah labor office will be established address grievances of domestic sector workers.