The Ministry of Labor will begin offering Nitaqat incentives to eligible private sector establishments that achieved the required rates of Saudization starting Saturday. Enterprises falling under excellent and green zones of the ministry's Nitaqat Saudization program will start enjoying the government exemptions and privileges starting Sept. 10, Al-Riyadh quoted ministry spokesman Hattab Al-Enizi as saying. However, enterprises falling under yellow and red zones will be given a grace period and penalties will be imposed on red zone companies by Nov. 26 and those in yellow zone enterprises by Nov. 26 next year, he said. Companies under excellent zone will be granted new visas for any selected occupation through the ministry's electronic service and will be allowed to change occupations of their workers, even to vocations that are limited to Saudis. Moreover, they will be able to transfer sponsorship of workers and change their occupations at the same time, which will allow the businesses in this category to apply for sponsorship transfer only once every two months. In addition, they will be exempted from the condition that a worker must spend at least two years under an employer before being allowed to transfer sponsorship. Excellent zone enterprises will also be given a one-year grace period after the expiry of other government permits and certificates like Zakat certificates, permits, commercial register or municipal licenses. Green zone enterprises will be able to change professions of foreign workers to others that are limited to Saudis. For every two workers who leave on an exit-only visa, green zone enterprises will receive an extra visa. In addition, these companies will be given a six-month grace period after the expiry of the Zakat and income certificates.
