Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Labor has issued a ministerial decision stipulating that companies should have a registered address with Saudi Post in order to get visas for the recruitment of workers. It said companies should start registering from by Sept. 7 or eventually risk losing access to ministry services. The ministry has made it a condition for companies to register with Saudi Post by Jan. 3, 2014. This rule is being included in the Nitaqat program for firms to Saudize jobs. This decision came after the signing of an agreement between the Ministry of Labor and Saudi Post to ensure addresses for private sector firms are accurate. Meanwhile, Minister of Labor Adel Fakieh said ensuring companies' addresses are up-to-date would help inspectors visit companies efficiently. This system will also help the ministry contact companies about labor disputes. It will also contribute to the awareness campaign for companies. Fakieh said this decision would support the amnesty period for illegal workers to rectify their status. It would also eradicate the illegal practice of temporarily renting premises and submitting applications for visas. Those who resort to such practices usually close down the firm or shop and another person takes over the premises and repeats the process. Therefore, companies' participation in the postal registration process will enable the ministry to track applications submitted from one location and the visas that were issued. This decision comes following a Council of Ministers ruling that approved regulations for residential and work addresses. Fakieh called on all firms to take the initiative and register with Saudi Post before the end of the grace period for rectifying residency and employment status of expatriate workers on Nov. 3. – SG/SPA
