The Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry has started implementing new regulations that allow workers at stalled government projects to take up jobs with other contractors.

The circular issued by the chamber on Wednesday includes five criteria for the transfers to take place, said Ahmed Abdul Aziz Sindi, a member of the chamber.

He said the decision, based on an order of the Council of Ministers issued two months ago, calls on the Ministry of Labor to transfer the services of workers, including technicians and supervisors, to new contractors if they are needed.

The government would pay for the transfers provided the workers were recruited to work on state-approved projects, said Sindi. In addition, all transfers must be concluded with signed contracts between both parties. If a worker is not needed by a new contractor, then the original contractor must pay for the release of that worker.

“The conditions also require that the new contractor submit a request to the labor ministry indicating how they will benefit from these workers’ services, and that all their financial and administrative functions are in line with new Saudization and Nitaqat requirements,” he said.

A board member at the chamber said Saudi employees working at stalled projects must have their contracts renewed with other contractors in the same positions and pay levels, if they choose to do so.

Contractors of stalled projects are required to report if any workers have missed work, left the Kingdom, died, or had their services transferred.

Sindi said the new contractor must work with the government agency overseeing the stalled project to prepare a list of workers for transfer. The government must then authorize this document.

The new contractor is also required to submit an official request seeking the services of workers. The ministry would not approve any transfers without the approval of the original contractor, said Sindi.