The Ministry of Labor formed a new department for the welfare of expatrite workers, said Dr. Abdul Wahid Bin Khalid Al-Humaid, Deputy Minister of Labor in a statement to SPA. The Department for the Welfare of Expatriate Workers has been formed to provide welfare services to expatriate workers and solve their work-related problems. He said the Ministry of Labor has taken many organizational and legislative measures to protect the rights of employees and employers. The ministry expanded the establishment of primary commissions for the settlement of labor disputes, recently. The total number of commissions in this regard reached 19. He said the formation of branches for the Higher Commission for the Settlement of Labor Disputes in Makkah Province and the Eastern Province is in its final stages. These commissions will contribute to solving the problems in employer-employee relationship. The ministry has taken several decisions banning the visa trade, violation of contractual commitments and inhuman and immoral use of expatriate workers. Penalties for those carrying out such practices are stiffened. This is besides penalties on establishments those delay workers' salaries. The establishment that delays payment of salaries for two consecutive months will be prevented from recruiting new employees. If the salaries are delayed for three consecutive months, the worker's services are transferred immediately to another employer, if he desires this, without the need for relinquishment of sponsorship (Tanazul). The employer will also be forced to pay all the rights of the worker, the statement said.
