Labor Ministry plans to retire foreigners at 60

 

Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — The Ministry of Labor has drafted a new law recommending the termination of the services of expatriates who turn 60. Expatriates over 60 who enjoy considerable experience in a field that is important to the Kingdom will be exempt from the law, Al-Madinah newspaper reported on Sunday. An informed source said the ministry and all concerned authorities including relevant committees at the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry discussed all important aspects of the law before sending it to the higher authorities for approval.

Chairman of the human resources committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dr. Samir Hassan said it is important new legislation is in place to facilitate the process of replacing expatriates who turn 60 with Saudi employees. He said authorities should prevent any expatriates from circumventing the law by changing their date of birth in their passports. He called on authorities to start working on the criteria they would use to exempt expatriates with rare specialties from the law.

Dr. Amal Shira, deputy chairperson of the human resources committee, said she did not understand how the social insurance system stipulated that Saudis who reach 60 should be retired, while it allows expatriates to work beyond this age. Shira estimated the number of expatriates over 60 working in the private sector at half a million. She called for speeding up the implementation of the new law and considering the implementation of other rules such as preventing expatriates over 55 from being recruited. She said 25 years should be the maximum period an expatriate can work in the Kingdom. Older expatriates with considerable experience should pass their knowledge to Saudis and should not be allowed to renew their work permits. Older expatriates granted an exemption from the proposed law should be allowed to stay five or 10 years depending on their qualifications, she said.