JEDDAH: Syrian expats in the Kingdom, who hold visit visas, are now permitted to work through Ajeer, which organizes and documents temporary labor outside the original place of work.

The visitor’s service via Ajeer allows individuals and business owners to take advantage of services provided by residents, in accordance with the Kingdom’s labor regulations, and provides temporary work permits for a six-month period.

This move comes after a technical team from various authorities was formed to put in place a mechanism to design, issue, renew and cancel temporary work permits for Syrian residents living in the Kingdom on visit visas.

Sources reveal that Syrian residents in the Kingdom are divided into two categories: Those who are here on visit visas and have approval to work via Ajeer, as well as those who hold iqamas.

According to specific rules for this category, if the employer wishes to terminate the contractual relationship, despite the desire of the employee to remain, and there is another employer that wants to transfer services to them, the services can be transferred without need of prior approval from the first employer, after obtaining consent of the original employer to mark the resident’s final departure.

Previously, the Ministry of Labor, in accordance with royal directives, corrected the status of Yemenis’ who were in the Kingdom illegally before 20 Jumad Al-Akhira 1436 AH, and launched the visitor’s system which allows business owners and individuals to benefit from the services of these residents in accordance with Saudi labor regulations.

Ajeer provides Yemenis temporary work permits, valid for six months, after obtaining travel documents from their government, as per the royal decree.

The most important thing, said sources, is that the contract stipulates the rights of both parties. Visitors can submit complaints to authorities, and are registered under the occupational hazards branch of GOSI.

Sources say Ajeer aims to serve the business sector in the Kingdom by documenting contractual relationships, including subcontracts and direct labor contracts.