Specifically, no Pakistani national with a criminal record shall be hired to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the new labor agreement agreed upon by Riyadh and Islamabad in August 2022.
It also stated that recruitment fees cannot be deducted from the worker's salary and that the worker should arrive in Saudi Arabia within one month of receiving a work visa.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) and Pakistan's Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (MOPHRD) signed this agreement. As part of the deal, Pakistani workers will be recruited to work regularly in the Kingdom in a way that protects their rights and regulates their contractual relationship.
Human resources ministries of both countries must also work on implementing a mutually acceptable system of hiring, sending and returning Pakistani workers hired to work in Saudi Arabia in accordance with labor laws, rules, and regulations.
Hiring labor should be done through reputable recruitment or employment offices, companies, or agencies licensed by both countries' governments.
Both countries will have strict regulations regarding recruitment fees. In return for recruitment costs, the employer should not deduct any fees or deductions from the worker's salary.
The employer and worker involved in the contract may also resort to the competent authorities in case of a contractual dispute under the applicable laws, rules and regulations.
In case of violations of laws, rules, or regulations, legal measures can also be taken against recruitment offices, companies, or agencies. This agreement also mentions working to resolve any problems arising from the application and implementation of its provisions.
As per the agreement with Saudi Arabia the Pakistani ministry is bound to carry out the following 7 major responsibilities.
1. Conducting medical tests at reliable medical centers in Pakistan to ensure the hired worker meets health requirements and is free from infectious diseases.
2. Assuring that the proposed worker does not have a criminal record.
3. It is necessary for workers to receive training in specialized institutes or centers.
4. Saudi Arabia's etiquettes, customs, and rules of conduct must be explained to workers during their stay in the Kingdom.
5. Encouraging the worker to fulfill the terms of their contract.
6. From the date of receiving the visa, taking the necessary steps to facilitate the worker's arrival in the Kingdom within one month.
7. In the event of a contract violation, facilitating the return of the worker.
Six Major responsibilities for Saudi Arabia's MHRSD for Pakistani workers :
* As per applicable laws, rules, and regulations, recruitment and employment of workers shall be in accordance with the provisions of the agreement.
* Protect the rights of Saudi Arabian workers in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
* Establishing a bank account for the worker in the name of the employer to deposit the employee's monthly salary.
* Working on a procedure to provide workers with round-the-clock assistance.
* To facilitate the settlement of labor contract violations and other labor cases before the Saudi courts and authorities.
* In case of emergency or if the need arises, facilitate the issuance of Final exit visas to allow workers to return to their homeland after the contract has ended.
Furthermore, the agreement between two countries includes a provision for establishing a joint technical committee consisting of representatives from both countries in order to conduct periodic reviews to evaluate and monitor the implementation of the agreement's provisions, including holding rotating consultative meetings in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on a date and place agreed upon by both parties. When necessary, these committees can make recommendations to resolve differences in the agreement. In addition, the agreement stipulates that any disputes over the implementation of this agreement should be settled amicably by the diplomatic missions of both parties.
To amend or revise any provision of this agreement, two countries must consent as per the legal procedures in force in both countries, and the amendment or revision will come into force as per the date agreed upon between the two countries.
This agreement is valid for 5 years, automatically renewable for similar periods, unless either party notifies the other in writing through diplomatic channels that it wishes to terminate it 2 months before it expires.
SOURCE : SAUDI EXPATRIATES
