Q&A on Nitaqat

Philippine Embassy Advisory No. 2011/59

14 July 2011

This is a text of a Q&A on the Saudi Nationalization Policy or Saudization prepared by the Department of Labor and Employment.

What is Saudization?

“Saudization,” officially known as the Saudi nationalization scheme, or the Nitaqat system in Arabic, is the newest policy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) Ministry of Labor, whereby Saudi companies and enterprises are required to populate a larger portion of their workforce with Saudi nationals. It calls for an increase in the share of Saudi manpower to total employment and for expanding work opportunities for Saudi women and youth.

Why is the KSA implementing Saudization?

The Saudization scheme is the Saudi government’s response to improve the participation of Saudi nationals in employment in the private sector and ultimately address the Kingdom’s unemployment problem.

How is the Saudization scheme implemented?

To carry out the scheme, the Ministry of Labor is coming up with 41 classifications of its employment sectors. It will also classify Saudi companies into five categories according to the number of their workers. Lastly, it will also categorize companies into four zones or bands—Nitaqat—according to compliance or non-compliance with Saudization requirements.

What are the five company classifications?

 

No. of Employees                    -Classification         -           Required/Nationalization

 

1–10 employees                      -  None                        -           Exempted

 

10–49 employees                    – Small                        -           5-24%

 

50–499 employees                  – Medium                  -           6-27 %

 

500–2,999 employees             – Large                     -           7-30%

 

3,000 or more employees        – Big                        -           8-30%

 

What are the categories or zones of companies according to compliance or non-compliance with Saudization?

These categories or zones are Blue (VIP category), Green (excellent category), Yellow (poor compliance), and Red (non-compliant). Blue and Green companies are more or less already compliant, while Yellow and Red companies are not.

When did the Saudization scheme take effect?

June 11, 2011. From this date, all Saudi companies, estimated to number around 300,000, are required to “nationalize” or populate their workforce with Saudis (for those who have not done so) or speed up their hiring of Saudis (for those who are slow to comply or are not complying). Yellow category companies have nine months (June 11, 2011 to March 11, 2012) to improve their compliance, while Red category companies have six months (June 11 to December 11, 2011) to comply with Saudization.

Has the categorization of companies according to compliance or non-compliance been completed?

The categorization would be completed on August 30, 2011.

What will happen after August 30, 2011?

Starting September 11, 2011, the Ministry of Labor will provide incentives for compliant companies and will impose restrictions to those that are not.

What are the privileges of compliant companies?

Companies categorized as Blue (VIP) will enjoy a number of privileges. They will be allowed to:

  • Hire anybody from anywhere in the world;
  • Apply for new visas for foreign workers with open professions through e-services, provided they remain in the blue category after issuance of new visas;
  • Change the professions of their foreign workers to other professions, including those restricted to Saudi nationals, but except those which have been identified by the Saudi Council of Ministers;
  • Hire foreign workers from Yellow and Red categories without the permission of their employers;
  • Renew work permits of their foreign workers irrespective of their period of stay in the Kingdom; and
    • Apply for replacement visas.
    • Companies categorized as Green (Excellent) may
      • Apply for new foreign workers’ visas not more than once every two months;
      • Obtain one replacement visa for every two transactions for exit-only visas;
      • Change the professions of their foreign workers to other professions, except those which are restricted to Saudi nationals;
      • Renew work permits of its foreign workers regardless of their period of stay in the Kingdom; and
      • Hire foreign workers from companies in the Red and Yellow categories without the permission of their employers.

What are the restrictions for companies under the Yellow and Red categories?

Yellow category establishments will NOT be able to:

  • Apply for new visas;
  • Hire or transfer foreign workers from any of the categories; and
  • Change the profession of its foreign workers.
  • They will also lose control over their foreign workers because they will be free to sign contracts with new employers in the Blue and Green categories.
  • However, they would still be able to:
    • Obtain one replacement visa for every two workers who have left the KSA for good;
    • Renew the work permits of its foreign workers regardless of their stay, provided the remaining period in their foreign workers’ residence permits is at least three months on the date of renewal; and
    • Renew the work permits of its foreign workers, provided these workers have not spent a total of more than six years with their employers.
    • Red category companies will NOT be able to:
      • Apply for new, replacement, or seasonal visa;
      • Change their foreign workers’ professions;
      • Hire or transfer foreign workers from any category;
      • File application for opening new enterprises (whether they are branches or entities).

They will also lose control over their foreign workers because they will be free to sign contracts with new employers in the Blue and Green categories. They will also be barred from renewing the work visas of their entire foreign staff.

Will Saudization affect the employment of OFWs in Saudi Arabia and up to what extent?

Yes, if the Saudi government pushes through with a sustained implementation of the policy.

However, there will be no massive, short-term displacements of OFWs as feared by some sectors, based on the foregoing incentives for compliant companies and restrictions for noncompliant companies.

For example, semiskilled, low-skilled, or unskilled OFWs in Yellow and Red companies who will be most likely affected (particularly if their lengths of stay in Saudi have exceeded six years and, therefore, whose work permits could not be renewed), could still transfer their services or be hired by Blue and Green category companies. This can be done without the permission of their employers.

On the other hand, OFWs in the Blue category companies, who may still face the risk of being displaced, may change their professions to other professions, even to professions restricted for Saudi nationals, except those identified by the Saudi Council of Ministers exclusively for nationals. Those in Green category companies may change their professions to other professions, except to those restricted for Saudi nationals.

Companies in the Blue and Green professions may also renew the work permits of these OFWs regardless of the length of their stay in the Kingdom.

Due to this complex process, it is not possible at this time to provide an accurate number of OFWs who might be affected, pending the completion of the categorization of companies by the Saudi Ministry of Labor set on August 30, 2011.

The categorization could change the current classification of companies and their status may also change after the grace periods of nine months and six months, respectively, given to companies in the Yellow and Red categories to improve their compliance.

Will household service workers be affected?

No. Household service workers (HSWs) are not included in the Saudization requirements. The announced ban for new-hire HSWs was brought about by the Note Verbale sent by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 12 to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs asking the Philippine government to stop the verification of contracts for new-hire HSWs.

What will the government do to assist OFWs who might be affected by Saudization?

The Department of Labor and Employment is taking three immediate steps:

  1. Deployment of an online registration system to capture accurate data and information on OFWs affected by the Saudi nationalization scheme.
  2. On-site re-employment assistance to facilitate the transfer of the services or hiring of affected OFWs from Yellow and Red category companies to Blue and Green category companies.
  3. Reintegration assistance for returning OFWs with final exit visas for local employment or for re-deployment to other foreign markets, or for self-employment through entrepreneurship and livelihood undertakings.

Source: dole.gov.ph

251 comments on “Q&A on Nitaqat”

    • Istrikto po Royal Saudi Embassy sa atin, pag wala po kayong middle name, grounds po ito para hindi po matatakan ng visa ang inyong pasaporte. Visit a lawyer para ayosin ang inyong dokumento or birth certificate.

    • Pasyalan mo ng personal sa Jawasat ang status mo, dahil pag e-try kong alamin ang category ng kompanya mo, nakalagay doon “not registered on the job.” Hindi ko alam kung ang kompanya mo ang hindi naka rehistro or ikaw mismo. Do it, asap.

  4. Sir Bong,

    hindi ba bawal dito sa Saudi Arabia kong my kulay ang buhok? nagbalak kasi akong lagyan ng brown na kulay ang buhok ko pagkatapos ng bakasyon ko sa Pinas!

    Salamat po in advance!

  5. sir, i have a friend working in Jeddah and he wants to come back to Philippines since his boss kept on deducting his salary for no apparent reason and is giving him extra job which he has no experience with nor any training.And if he can’t fix it, he should give a new unit to his customer at his expense. He also is threatened to get no salary if his sales doesn’t reach the expected amount. Now, he needs support from his agency so that he could come back to Philippines but it seems that the agency, MYM International Manpower Agency, is no longer operating.May I know how he can go with the process of ending his contract?Can the government help him?Who should he contact?And lastly, may I know the status of this agency?’Cause perhaps they just changed their name.Please advice.thanks and God bless!

    • As a general rule, the employer is not allowed to deduct any amount from the salary of the worker without the consent of the latter except for cause allowed by law or agreement of the parties.

      a. The law allowed salary deduction by the employer if the worker, as a result of his own fault or violation of the employer’s instructions and not as a result of a third party’s fault or a force majeure, causes loss, damage or destruction to machineries or products owned by the employer while in his custody. (Art. 91, SLL)

      Tungkol sa status ng agency, paki verify po ito sa POEA at puwede rin pong mak-reklamo doon.

      You can contact POLO-Jeddah at this number : 0561956142

  6. gud day sir bong,
    tanong ko lang po nasa yellow po ang company namin gusto ko po sanang lumipat sa green pero hindi pa po tapos ang contract ko tapos mageexpired po ang iqama ko dec. 28, 2012, Pwede po ba akong makalipat sa ibang company kahit na di pa tapos ang contract ko…?

  7. Sir Bong,
    magandang gabi po… gusto ko po malaman kung ano pwede ko gawin. mag 2 years na po ako sa june 26 sa company. pero 1 year contract lang po ako.Nag baksyon na po ako last july 26,the bumalik po ako ulit after 1 month.pagbalik ko po wala ako pinirmahan kontrata.ngaun po nagpaalam na ako sa company ko na mag exit na sa july.nais ko po sana na final exit pero sabi ng company rentry visa daw po ang ibibigay nila. pwede ko po ba na ipilit na exit visa ang ibigay nila? kasi hindi na rin po ako babalik sa company.may magagawa po ba ako? yung passport ko po valid until july 17,2012. expired na po kung gustuhin nila na re-entry visa ang ibigay magagawa po ba nila yun kahit malapit na ma expired ang pasport ko? salamat sir bong… malaking tulong po ang maibibigay nyung payo at impormasyon. Godbless po!

    • Dave,

      Karapatan natin na mga expat na magdesisyon kapag tapos na ang ating kontrata, re-entry man ito or final exit. Wala pong magagawa ang employer tungkol dito kung dumaan ka naman sa proseso katulad ng magpaalam sa tamang oras at ayaw mo ng mag renew ng kontrata.

      Bong

  8. Sir Bong,

    Good day po. Sabi po nung coordinator namin sa establishment namin eh di raw ibibigay yung end of benefits namin dapat po daw ay exit ka pero pag exit re entry daw eh di nila ibibigay. Gaano po ba eto katotoo? Salamat po.

  9. Sir Bong,

    Thanks sa lahat ng advice mo, buti nlng mabait ang sponsor q final exit ang binigay sa akin hindi q na kailangan mag labor, Daghang salamat. More power.

  10. Dear Sir,

    I would like to inquire regarding the domestic helper visa that my husband bought for me i be still process in Philippines? If so, what are the documents that i need to bring in Philippines so it will be process smoothly.

    Thank you and regards

    Mrs Joy Castillo

  11. sir,, tanong ko lng po panu malalaman if what category po ung international medical center??is it in blue?? ask ko lng din po sir if you have any idea about sa hospital na yan??is it a good hospital?with good policies for nurses??bka po pwede nyo po masagot..its in jeddah po..thank you so much!

    • Kung may friend ka doon at puwedeng ipahiram niya ang kanyang iqama number, puwede po natin malaman kung anong category sila. Pero sa aking pag imbistiga dito sa aking mga Saudi co-employees, maayos naman ang hospital na ito. Ngunit kung aplikante ka, siguradohin mo lang na direkta kang empleyado ng hospital at hindi sub-contractor ang employer mo.

  12. Kuya,

    Nagta trabaho po ako dito sa saudi arabia, maliban sa legal employer ko nakakuha po ako ng sideline or samakatuwid po ay part time sa ibang company at halos tumagal din po ako ng anim na buwan.
    Sa pinapasukan ko pong part time ay nakatuklas po ako ng isang hindi maganda gawain galing po sa Manager ng Kumpanya, ng malaman ko pong nandaraya itong Manager na ito ay agad agad po akong nagsumbong sa Director ng kumpanyang ito para isumbong ang gingawang anumalya ng Manager na ito, at pagkatapos nun ay hindi na po ako pumasok dun.
    Ang pagsusumbong ko po ay ginawa ko sa pamamagitan email at ginawa ko po ito sa loob mismo ng opisinang pinapasukan ko (legal employer) ko po.
    Gumamit po ako ng ibang pangalan sa email or nag disguise po ako para di malaman ng Manager ko na ako po ang nagsumbong at upang malaman din po ng Director namin kung anong nangyayari sa kanyang Kumpanya yun lang po ang intensyon ko.
    Pero sa pamamagitan po ng IP Address na ginamit ko ay na trace po nila na ako po ang gumawa ng email at nag report po sila sa lega employer ko na sinisiraan ko raw po siya at ibinigay ang IP Address at saka po email na ginawa ko.
    Sa pag iimbestiga po ng legal employer ko ay natuklasan po nila na nagta trabaho po ako dun bilang part timer.
    Ang tanong ko po kuya ay ganito, meron po bang kakayahang mag complaint ang pinapag part time-an ko sa ginawa kong email? At ano pong complaint ang pwede nila isampa sa ginawa kong email?
    Ano pong aksyon ang pwedeng gawin din po sa akin ng legal employer ko at sa kumpanyang nag hire sa akin bilang illegal worker ng kanilang kumpanya?
    Pwede po ba itong maging laban ng Kumpanya sa Kumpanya?
    At ano po bang pwede kong haraping kaso sa buong pangyayari?
    Sana po matulungan nyo po ako sa problema ko kuya.

    Salamat po,

    JB
    saudi arabia

    • Ang pag sideline po dito sa Saudi Arabia, or pag work sa ibang establishment maliban sa tunay na employer ay labag po sa batas. Liable rin po sa batas ang kompanya na iyong pinapasokang sideline.

      Mag-ingat sa susunod na mangyayari dahil baka bweltahan ka ng manager na isinumbong mo na maging daan pa upang mawalan ng tiwala sa iyo ang original mong sponsor. Ang nakikita ko na maging problema ay ang iyong tunay na employer.

      Payo lang sa lahat ng mga readers – Wala po tayong karapatan na manghimasok sa internal problem ng ating pinagsilbihan maliban lamang kung tayo ay inatasan na gawin ito.

  13. Sir,

    Kudos to your blog because kahit papano we’re getting guidance sa mga issues regarding an OFW dito sa Kingdom. It’s not easy itong inumpisahan ninyo. I’m OFW Edgar from Jubail. Just this night, my Saudi boss called me informing me that he lost the passport of her Filipina house maid who’s scheduled to go home soon. Pano ho ang gagawin ng isang Sponsor (Kafil) sa ganitong issue in the shortest possible time? Hope you can reply soon. God bless!

    • Sorry for late reply Gar, talagang busy rin ako sa trabaho.

      Gar, dapat ma e-report po ito sa Consular Section ng ating Embahada.

      Ito po ang mga requirements:

      The requirements for the processing of replacements for lost passports are the following:
      1.Personal appearance;
      2.Duly accomplished Passport Application Form;
      3.Photocopy of lost Philippine passport, if available;
      4.15-day waiting period to allow issuance verification from Manila or the appropriate place of issuance if not issued by PCG Jeddah;
      5.Police Report on the loss of the passport and its translation into English;
      6.Two (2) copies of the Affidavit of Loss;
      7.Fee: SR460.00 (for Lost MRP or MRRP) and SR700.00 (for Lost ePassport).

  14. Sir Bong,

    Good day po… paki tignan nman po kung anong category ang company ko… iqama # ………… salamat po sir…saka pwede po ba malaman ang computation ng end of service for 2 years? salamat po ng marami! GODBLESS! po….

  16. hello po sir bong! ask ko lng po sana kung how long po ba ang processing ng lost iqama sa riyadh at ano po ang mga procedures? 2 weeks agopa pong nawawala ang iqama. bawal po bang lumabas kahit mag market lang? at sapat na po ba ang photocopy ng iqama with stamp of the company as temporary iqama?

  18. Sir Bong, good day po. Ask ko lang po kung pwede na ba akong umuwi pagkatapos ng kontrata ko or kailangan pang hintayin ang expiration ng IQAMA ko kasi po asa RED CATEGORY po company namin. Pano po kung di ako payagan pauwiin ng coordinator or nung arabo sa company ko after finish ng contract ko? Ano po dapat kung gawin? Salamat po.

    • Ang mga nasa Red categories na mga worker ay di na po puwedeng mag renew ng iqama. Ibig pong sabihin kung mag apply ka ng Exit, huwag mo ng hintayin na mapaso ito. Wala pong magagawa ang employer kundi pauwiin ka dahil hindi na puwedeng e-renew ang iqama sa mga worker na nasa red categoties.

      Ngunit kung ikaw ay lilipat sa ibang kompanya na nasa Green at Excellent categories, dapat lamang na may higit tatlong buwan pang natitira sa iyong iqama or work permit para maisaayos ang iyong paglipat.

  19. Magandang araw po Sir Bong. Tanong ko lang po kasi asa red category po ung kompanya namin eh ngayon po end ng kontrata ko sa June 2012 bale 2 years na po ako na diretso. Pwede na po ba akong umuwi sa mismong pagdating ko dito nung June or kailangan pang antayin ung expiration ng IQAMA ko ng September 2012? Eh gusto ko na po umuwi ng June eh. Pano pag di ako pinayagan nung coordinator or nung arabo sa kompanya ko at sinabing kailangan kong tapusin expiration ng IQAMA ko, ano po dapat kong gawin? Salamat po..

    Emmanuel C.

    • Hindi ka puwedeng umalis ng bansa, bakasyon man or Exit kung expire na ang iyong iqama. Ibig pong sabihin dapat pong maka-alis kayo before mag expire ang iyong iqama. Kung ayaw kang pauwiin, pumunta ka sa ating POLO office upang matawagan ng taga POLO ang iyong employer.

      • Sir Bong, pano po kung sa pagdating ko nung June 28, 2010 dito sa Kingdom eh sa June 28, 2012 eh balak ko na pong umuwi, wala po bang problema dun? Pano po pag pinilit ako ng company ko na mag stay pa until malapit na mag expire Iqama ko eh gusto ko na umuwi sa June 28, 2012, ano po dapat kung gawin?

        • Karapatan mo ang umuwi pagkatapos ng iyong kontrata at wala na po silang magagawa doon dahil ikaw ay nasa Specified Term of contract. Kung sakali man na hihingi sila ng palugit at may valid reason ang employer, wala po tayong magagawa kundi paunlakan ang kanilang request ayon sa batas, pero dapat ito ay may kasulatan na pagkatapos mong mag extend wala na pong extension na magaganap muli. Pangalawa, dapat pong bayaran nila ang renewal ng work permit.

  20. Sir,

    Good morning, nasa yellow po company namin, ang iqama ko po expired sa june2012. Pano kng d ko na po renew ang iqama ko, kc kami naman ngbabayad ng iqama. Tanong ko po, kailan po ba ako dapat mag exit ng KSA kng ang Iqama ko eh mag expired ng June2012? Pwde rn po ba ako lumipat sa green at blue? kailan po pwede lumipat, pa double check n rn po iqama ko xxxxx.

    salamat po,

    rogie

  21. SIR BONG,ask ko lang po kng pano ako mkapagpamember s philhealt at ano ang mga requirements,kasi po dumating ako dito nung 2008 n visit visa at hanggang ngayon di pa ko nkakauwi.gusto ko po sana mag apply ng philhealt dito s dubai.please help me po.thanks and more power.

  22. Sir, Gud day. Nagwowork po ako sa isang government agency as a contractor. Last June 2011 nagpalit ng company ung agency n pinagtratrabahuan ko. Kinuha ho kami. Pero until now di p natratransfer ang iqama nmin at di rin nmin alam kung kailan. Ang huling balita ko i-tratransfer yata kmi sa mismong government di n sa new company (kc red yata ung new company). Ask ko lang po kung may option po bang ma-renew muna ung iqama ko? kung pwd p rin b akong lumipat ng ibang company?

    expired n iqama ko since oct. 2011
    Previous company – yellow
    New company – di ko po alam (parang red yata)

    • Kung ang lilipatan ay Red, hindi po ito puwede pero kung matuloy ang paglipat ninyo sa Government institution, mas maganda. Ang yellow categories na mga companies ay puwede pang mag renew ng iqama regardless of their stay, provided the remaining period in their foreign workers’ residence permits is at least three months on the date of renewal and provided these workers have not spent a total of more than six years with their employers.

      Sa puntong ito paso na ang iyong iqama pero makakatulong sa iyo ang Government entity na inyong lilipatan. Kung sigurado na kayo na lilipat doon, pakiusapan po ninyo na tulungan kayo na marenew ang inyong iqama.

    • Kung ikaw po ay auto technician at ang kompanya mo po ay nasa Red or Yellow category, maaaring mapasama ka sa mga workers na hindi na po ma renew ang mga iqama or work permit. Pero kung ang tanong mo ay auto technician ba ay kasama sa Saudization, palagay ko hindi. KAramihan sa mga Saudi – ang posisyon na ito ay hindi po nila type.

  24. Sir Bong,

    Nasa red category po company namin ngayon, last na check ko po october 2011 nasa yellow category po. naparenew ko po iqama ko bago ko pa nalaman na nasa red ulit. kung red parin po after ko makuha iqama ko pwede po ba ko agad lumipat ng company? pababayaran po ba nila yung remaining months sa contract ko at yung ibinayad nila sa pagrenew ng iqama ko? salmata.

    van

  26. Sir,

    Good day!, Sir tanong ko lang po, almost 8 months plng aq d2 s KSA, hindi ko po gusto ung palakad ng employer ko. and sa company na pinapasukan ko, bka 1st quarter ng 2012, ttanggalin na ung company ng employer namin d2 s company n pnpasukan q, bale contractor lng kc kmi, pwede ba ako mg file ng resignation? kung pwede, ano po ang mga steps?

    thank you,

    • Puwede po kayong mag resign kung talagang iyon ang desisyon ninyo. Idaan po lamang sa sulat. Ngunit, please note that the company will ask for the payment sa lahat ng nagastos niya sa pagkuha sa iyo sa Pinas, including the cost of the ticket.

    • Ang pag file ng resignation ay karapatan mo ngunit may mga katumbas itong kabayaran sa dahilan na hindi mo taposin ang kontrata na napgkasunduan ninyo ng iyong employer. Pero kung buo ang loob mo, puwede kang sumulat sa employer ngunit hindi mo sila mapipilit kung ayaw nilang aprobahan ang iyong resignation.

  27. Good day po Sir Bong,

    Our company is under “CODE RED” as per MOL effective Dec 17, 2011 since I last checked and in addition, our salary had been delayed for an ongoing of 4months but recently company provided an internal memo that all liabilities pertaining to salary will be solved before end of Dec 2011. We had provided our resignation to HR Dept. prior to the memo being circulated.

    Question:

    1. If we find an employer that holds either Blue or Green Code, will we be able to transfer ASAP?
    2. When will be our status holding “code red” eligibility to find a new employer?
    3. We have not receive our work compensation for an ongoing of 4 months, will we be able to get all our accounts receivable with other benefits such as vacation leave not used?
    4.Would our resignation be considered void if we get a new employer?

    Sir, this would be all for now and seasons greetings…

    R.E.S.

    • Ayon sa sistema ng Nitaqat, puwedeng lumipat ang worker sa Excellent and Green category kung ang kasalukuyang employer ay nasa Red. Tatanggpain po kayo ng Excellent at Green category company kung may maipapakita kayo na pruweba na nasa Red ang employer ninyo. Maaaring bigyan ninyo ng kopya ng resulta na nakuha ninyo sa MOL site. Noong Disyember 12 po ang huling palugit ng Saudi authorities sa mga kompanya na nasa Red categories to ikprove their status not unless mayrong palugit sila na hindi po natin alam.

      Kung ang kompanya ay buhay pa at may pera pa sa kabila ng kanilang Red status, puwede po ninyong kasohan ang inyong employer sa Saudi Labor Court upang makuha ang dapat sa inyo ayon sa batas.

      Ang inyong resignation ay puwedeng gawing basihan na hindi po kayo makalipat sa iba at instead pauwiin na lamang kayo. Kung ito ang mangyari, huwag kalimutan na kunin ang nararapat na benepisyo ayon sa batas paggawa ng kaharian.

  28. Sir,
    Yearly Contract po ako, kababalik ko lng galing bakasyon last sept. 5,2011 at pumirma ako ng pnibagong contrata up to July 5, 2012 narenew nrin yung iqama ko by sept. simula pagbalik ko hanggang ngayon hindi pa po kmi pinapasahod kya npilitan akong magsubmit ng resignation letter pra mkahanap ng ibang companya. balita ko po Red category ang company nmin pero huli ko ng nalaman, nauna na akong nagbigay ng resignation.
    Pwedi po ba akong lumipat ng ibang kompanya kahit may binigay akong resignation letter?
    here’s my iqama no.
    Sam

    • Maaring gamitin nila ang resignation notice mo upang ikaw ay kanilang pauwiin with Exit Visa ayon sa Nitaqat na sistema. Maaari rin na mag request ka na maghanap ng panibagong employer ayon sa programa ng Nitaqat.

      Companies in Red Categories will lose control over their foreign workers because they will be free to sign contracts with new employers in the Blue and Green categories.

  29. sir bong

    gud am/pm po sa inyo sir,ako poy narito muli para mgtanong sa inyo,nais ko pong malaman kung ano ang category ng company nmin,e2 po aking iqama no.xxxxxx.meron pa po ako isang tanong sir,nkpgfile na po ako ng bakasyon ko at my skedule na po ang alis ko sa jan.21,2012 po,ayaw ko na po bumalik d2 sa company nmin kc d mganda ang systema nla,ngaun po pg halimbawa gus2 ko pa bumalik d2 sa saudi pro sa ibang company,makakabalik po ba ako d2,sa april 21,2013 pa ang xpire ng aking iqama.

    • Ito po ang lumalabas sa inquiry ko : “Registered, but not on the job”.

      Dapat pong magpaalam kayo ng mabuti kung ayaw nyo na pong mag renew ng contract. Kung exit re-entry ang visa mo at balak mong bumalik with a new employer, magkaproblema po kayo sa Immigration.

  31. Sir good evening po ulit sir i have just received my renewed iqama yesterday..ask me lang po ulit does it mean po ba na pwede me ng magbakasyon?Makakabalik pa po ba ako dito!! thanks lot po ulit and thanks for your time!!

  33. Sir Bong,

    Good day ask lang po sana ulet category ng company namin according to our HR iba na raw color category namin gusto ko lng po confirm if totoo nag post na po ako last week ng inquiry ko kaya lang siguro sa sobrang dami ng nag iinquire about the status of the company di nyo n rin napansin. eto po iqama number ko xxxxxThank you.

  35. Sir good morning po thanks lot po sa immediate reply..sir in line with your response na wla pa implementing guidelines ang nitaqat does it mean na hindi pa nla na impose yon restrictions like in our company that belongs to red category,me possibility pa po ba ma renew ang mga iqama nmin? Also sir ask me rin kc po me vacation entitlement nko at gusto ko rin po sna gmitin ito snce 3yrs nko hindi nakauwi mdyo worry lang ako sir bka hindi nko mkabalik and im seeking for your advice..sir again thanks lot po for your endless support!!

    • Dan,

      Ang restrictions ng Nitaqat ay nag-umpisa na noong Sept. 11, 2011 pero may palugit pa ho hanggan December 11, 2011 para makapag-comply ang mga Red and Yellow companies. Kung ang iqama mo ay matatapos na before December 11 dapat lang na mag exit ka na upang makuha mo ang benepisyo na para sa iyo. Ngunit kung ang expiration ng iyong kontrata or iqama ay matatapos before December 11, hindi na po ito ma-renew dahil nag-umpisa na nga ang restriction. Kaya kung ako sa iyo, mag exit na ako upang makahanap ng panibagong employer back here in KSA.

      Bong

    • Sir thanks lot po..ask me po ulit sir pano po dapat me gwin kc nga po gusto ko sana ask for a release..sir when is the right time for me to do that? Sir dapat po b mag file me na exit muna then saka me ask for release,,sir at this point in time po ba dapat nko ask for release..sir pasensya na po kc plagi nko nagtatanong senyo again sir thanks lot indeed your a big help to us here!! ,

      • Dan,

        Gaya po ng sabi ko ang Red ay hanggang December 12 pa may palugit to comply the nitaqat, at MArch 12 naman doon sa Yellow. By that time comes siguro naman may implementing rules na ang MOL para doon sa mga expats na gustong lumipat.

        Bong

  36. Sir good day po mzta po kyo dyan ..sir ako po yuon sinabihan nyo to remind you today[Saturday] snce accordihg po sa inyo mag meeying popa po kyosa embassy regarding sa Nitaqat..thanks lot po ulit sir and more power!!

    • Dan,

      As per POLO wala pang implementing guidelines ang Nitaqat. Visit PhilEmb site occasionally para sa mga announcement. As of now, kailangan munang patuloy tayong mag work sa company habang hindi pa tapos ang kontrata. Ill keep you posted on any developments about Nitaqat.

      Bong

  37. sir,

    our company is in green category. ayaw po kami bigyan ng exit kahit tapos na po kontrata namin. pumayag po kami na maextend hanggang bago ma-expire iqama namin. pero ngayon pong malapit na maexpire, ayaw po nila makipag usap samin ng maayos regarding sa exit namin. gusto po nila kmai i-extend pa. kanino pa po kaya kami pwede lumapit aside sa POLO kasi gustung-gusto na po talaga namin kumawala sa company namin. ayaw din po kami tulungan ng agency namin. maraming salamat po.

      • sir, pero verbal lang po contract namin sa pinas, wala po talaga kaming pinanghahawakan na kontrata. sa mga naririnig po naman, sa sitwasyon daw po namin yung expiration ng iqama na daw po magseserve as our end of contract. gano po katotoo yun at may laban po ba kaming makuha mga kulang naming sahod at benepisyo kung mag POLO kami? november po kasi expire ng iqama namin, ayaw na po talaga namin mag renew. salamat po.

        • John,

          Bakit kayo pumayag na magpa-deploy without a contract? Isang pagkakamali ang ginawa ninyo. DAhil dito sa KSA mas lamang sila pag wala tayong pinanghawakang kontrata.

          Kung walang kontrata, ayon sa batas Article 37: The work contract for non-Saudis shall be written and of a specified period. If the contract does not specify the duration, the duration of the work permit shall be deemed as the duration of the contract.

          Dumulog sa ating POLO asap.

          Bong

  38. Sir,

    From red naging yellow na po status gn company namin, Balak ko po mag file ng vacation, totoo po bang kapag under red at yellow ang iqama ay di na makakabalik sa saudi?

  40. Sir good morning po ulit magtanong po ako ulit when is the right time po ba na mag ask for release kc po in my case they already inform me that they will get my iqama for renewal dw po pro hindi ko pa po ibinibigay..dapat ko na po ba cla inform na gusto ko po mag pa release or do i have to wait muna kung ma renew pa iqama ko?Our company is in red category before and im not sure if they did something to improve their category kc po as of this time even yon po food allowance nmin delay na po ng 3 months without any notice at all..sir ask me po ito kc mern me po na scout other company in Jeddah sa pinsan ko na nag hire for those with release status..sir im actually under renewal under unspecified contract kc po wla me signed any contract til nw pro i accepted their offer to renew my contract that was suppose to end last Aug 3..sir ask me po ito kc i stll would like to continue working here para sa family ko,,sir thanks lot po and im looking forward for your advice..God bless po and more power!!

  41. Sir..Good day. Pwede po ba malaman kung ano na ang category ng company ko at kung nag comply na sila from yellow to green..my iqama no. xxxxx…Thank u so much. Best regards and God bless everyone……MAR

  42. Sir,
    Salamat po sir..
    Sir ibig sbihin yellow category company namin.. Kung makauwi ako itong buwan na ito exit visa e issue nla pabor sa akin yun. Maka hanap me new employer wla ba problema? Sir kng ipitin nla ako ngayon bumaba na kc ako ayaw ko ng babalik sa pag drive baka hanapan nla aq ng mali delikado. Tnx..

  44. Dear Bong,

    Sir ang Company po namin ay nasa yellow category. Pero ang Iqama po namin ay mag expire na sa Dec 3, 2011. Tanong ko lang po kung pwede na kaming lumipat ng Company? Sabi po kasi kapag nasa yellow category pwede pa silang mag renew ng iqama provided 3 months before ng expiry date.

    Sherwin

    • Sherwin,

      Please read carefully below and understand it perfectly.

      for Yellow Category:

      -No new visas
      -Can get only one visa after the departure of two expatriates
      -Cannot transfer visas and change professions.
      -No work permit renewal for employees who have completed six years.
      -No control on workers who can switch over to premium zone companies

      Yellow category companies have nine months (June 11, 2011 to March 11, 2012) to improve their compliance.

      Bong

  45. Sir,

    magandang araw po sa inyo.tanong kulang po ano Status company namin..ito iqama #xxxxxx nag file po kc me ng vacation hanggang ngayon wla pa akng flight details. Maraming Salamat po!

  47. sir good day po ask me lang po if meron na most recent update sa NITAQAT? also sir would like to ask in behalf ng mga ksamahan ko dito kc most of us here already signed in for contract renewal though our iqama still has 3 months validity nlang sir gusto po namin mlaman khit na po ba nka sign na kmi for renewal wlwa pa rin po ba saysay since our company is in red category? Sir in the event po na worse scenario will the company be the one to inform us on this matter? Sir makukuha po ba nmin kya un mga due benefits namin? Sir when is the right time for us to look for another company snce most of us still would like to stay and work here in ksa? Sir thanks lot po for and more power!!

    • To Everyone:

      Last 16 July 2011, our Philippine Embassy issued a statement that the “Nitaqat system honors existing work contracts. The sanction for non-complying companies will be the non-renewal of work permits of foreign workers, and not their illegal termination. This is the reason why the work permits of foreign workers in red-coded companies will not be renewed, and that the work permits of foreign workers in yellow-coded companies will be limited to 6 years.”

      It is therefore clear that starting September 11, 2011, the Ministry of Labor will will impose restrictions to those that are not complying the Nitaqat system. If your company can’t comply the said order, it means the iqamas of their workers can not be renewed, even those workers who sign a new contract with this companies. Be noted that workers employed in red categories after Sept. 11, 2011 has the right to request their benefits in accordance with the Saudi Labor law. Workers in red category should make preparations now and scout for new employer.

      Further, The Department of Labor and Employment is taking three immediate steps:

      1.Deployment of an online registration system to capture accurate data and information on OFWs affected by the Saudi nationalization scheme.
      2.On-site re-employment assistance to facilitate the transfer of the services or hiring of affected OFWs from Yellow and Red category companies to Blue and Green category companies.
      3.Reintegration assistance for returning OFWs with final exit visas for local employment or for re-deployment to other foreign markets, or for self-employment through entrepreneurship and livelihood undertakings. http://bit.ly/pFURrt

      Regards.

      Bong

  49. sir,
    ask ko lang po kung ano ang status ng company namin. my iqama# xxxxx. nagfile po ako ng complaint against my employer sa labor office 5 months ago kasi po gusto ko ng magexit. madami beses nako nag submit ng letter sa kanila pero ayaw nilaako pauwiin. un complaint ko po ay nasa commission na. magexpire na un iqama ko sa sept 19. until now nagwork pa din ako sa kanila. pwede napo ba ako magstop work.
    thank you and God Bless!

    • Cris,

      Huwag ka munang huminto, hintayin natin ang Sept. 11, mag impose na ng restrictions ang Saudi Government on that date at malalaman natin ang implementing rules and regulations by that date.

      Search Result
      No. Group: 9-2-649504 Name: CRISELDA – - NORIEGA evaluation of the facility: Red

      Bong

  50. HELLO, SIR MY COMPANY PLACED IN RED CATAGORY.AND MY IQAMA IS EXPIRED AND COMPANY SAID THAT WE ARE NOT BE ABLE TO RENEW IT BECAUSE OF RED CATAGORY.AND I WISH TO CHANGE TRANSFER MY SERVICES OR GO BACK ON FINAL EXIT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.CAN U ASSIST ME THAT WHAT CAN I DO IN THIS SITUATION.THX

    • Kiani,

      If youa sponsor is in red category then you must look for another employer if you like to stay in the Kingdom. If you want to go home then you can go home despite of expire iqama because all workers under red category are not aanymore allowed to renew iqama.

      Regards.

      Bong

  51. Sir,
    Good day. po! Tanong ko lang po paano malaman kung under process yung renewal ng iqama ko kasi more than 2weeks na kinuha ng company namin for renewal. Hangang ngayon wala pang abiso sa status nito at expire na yesterday august 18. Salamat po of any info about this.

    Marvin

  53. Bong

    Nasa Pinas na ako, 2 months bago maakuwe at nabigyan ng 1 month salary sa employer, at di nila bianyaran ang hindi natapos na kontrata sa loob 2 yrs, wala din akong kaslan, aminado ang employer, terminate na walang dahilan, isa lang ako sa mga kasamahan nain na inalis sa trabaho, gusto ko sana na makuha ang placement ko 1 motnh sa agency and 6 months sa employer , ano ba ang steps gagawin namin na hindi na kailangan na kami ang gagastos, meron pa kaming copu sa kontrata, pero sabi ng isang staff ng agency saado na sila, di ba sila wedeng hanapin sa DTI o SEC, total maaring nagapalit lamang sila ng name ng agency ngunti isa pa din ang may ari..san maka refer ka ng makatugn sa amin..alam mo ba ang buong govt agency ng jawasat, email at contact naumeber..please pakisend na lang sa e-mail ko..

    Salamat

    Tsubs

  54. Sir nabasa ko po itong message pro naguguluhan parin ako kz hnd nabanggit kung makakabalik parin ba yong runaway worker sa KSA? more than 5years na pla ang lumipas nong tumakas ako.

    IV. Escaping from work-place:

    A sponsor can report his/her employee runaway (“huroob”), if the worker absents himself from work without permission (work-strikes are illegal in Saudi Arabia). Once a worker is reported run-away, his status becomes illegal and he cannot approach any Saudi authority for redressal of his grievances. The only course left to a run-away worker is to submit to the law of the land and report to the nearest deportation authority (‘Tarheel’). Obtaining requisite clearances (from the sponsor and other Saudi authorities) may take the deportation authorities a couple of months and during this time the run-away worker may have to stay in overcrowded deportation centers. A detainee deported through deportation centre is banned from entering Saudi Arabia for a period of five years (The ban may be extended to other GCC countries in near future).

  55. Good evening po Sir,
    Ako po ay nakapagwork sa Yanbu al bahr,KSA bilang autocad noong june ng 2005 subalit after 9 months tumakas ako po sa kumpanya ko kasama ang tatlo kong kasamahan sa work sapagkat hnd maayos ang pamamalakad ng project manager namin. Wala po kaming ibang ginawang masama sa kumpanya kundi tumakas lang. Bumalik ako sa pilipinas noong march ng 2006 thru deport, gamit ang dukomento ng embahada ng pilipinas sa Jeddah sapagkat hawak ng kumpanya ko ang aking passport. Ang iqama ko ay iniwan ko sa KSA. Ibang pangalan ang ginamit ko, kumbaga nag alyas po ako upang hnd ako mahanap ng kumpaya ko sa deportation. Sa panahon iyon ay wala pang finger print sa akin ang KSA. Ang iqama number ko ay IQAMA No.: 2217883228. Ngayon po ay may bago akong passport at nag aapply muli sa mga agency dito dahil balak ko pong bumalik sa KSA para makapagtrabaho. Ang katanungan ko po pwede po ba ako makabalik sa KSA para magwork? Nablocklisted or naban ba ako ng kumpanya ko? Pakicheck po ang iqama ko kung anong records ko? Kung sakaling naban ako, paano at saan ko po malalaman ang pangalan ko ay blocklisted/ban? Ano po ang paraan para makabalik ako magwork sa KSA? Sana po matulungan nyo ako sa mga problema ko. Maraming salamat po… email add ko po warr3n80@yahoo.com

              • Sir bong pasencya na po hnd ko po kz nagets agad yong sagot nyo na ok, go ahead…kala ko po pagkakaintindi ko ituloy kong sagutin ang tanong nyo kz kala ko nagka error ung reply message ko.
                Sir bong yong iqama ko po na ito IQAMA No.: xxxxxx , pwede ba malaman ang mga records ko jan sa KSA kung blocklisted po?

                  • Nagwowork ako dati sa SAUDI PAN KINGDOM CO. LTD noong june ng 2005 at 3years contract po pero tinapos lang namin ay 9months. Hindi po government kundi private company pero ang project na hawak ng kumpanya namin ay government project po sa YANBU (ROAD CONSTRUCTION). Anim po kaming pinoy noon sa office.

                    Sir bong anong ibig pong sabihin ng result na yan? hnd po kami naeresgister dati?
                    saka po kung sakali bang maaprubahan ang working visa ko sa saudi embassy dito, ibig pong sabihin hindi ako ban/ blacklisted?

                    Siyangapala, sir bong yong humuli pala sa amin ay mga deportation officers ng jeddah deportation area. Tapos po yong records na binaggit ko sa last message ko, ang ginamean ko po ay para sa pag fill-up namin ng travel document na binigay sa amin ng liason ng phil. embassy para magkaroon kami ng travel document. Yong mga deportation officers na kumuha sa amin po tinanong lang ang pangalan namin at country tapos pinasok na po sa deportation area yon lang po at simula nong ipinasok na kami, ang liason ng phil embassy lang ang nakakausap namin tapos ang mga deportation officers ay hindi na kami tinatanong at kinakausap hanggang makaflight kami. Sana po hindi kayo makulitan sa aming mga katanungan. Pagpalain po kayo sa mga tulong nyong payo sa aming mga nagkakaproblema.

                    • Warren,

                      Kung ang concern mo talaga ay kung makabalik kaba or hindi, isa lang ang sagot, pag hindi ka mabigyan ng visa stamping ng Saudi Embassy sa Pinas, ibig sabihin hindi ka na puwedeng makabalik sa KSA.

                      Bong

  56. Dear SIr.
    kami po ay kasalokuyan na mamasukan dito sa AL-MANEE FURNITURE MFG, CO, mula pa po nong 1992 hangang sa kasalukuyan. taong 2009 kami po ay nag pasyang dumolog sa POLO hangang umabot kami sa saudi labor. sa kadahilanang wala ng kakayanan mag pasahod ang aming kumpanya at hinde na rin kami makapag bakasyun.umabot halos isang taon at kalahati ang usapin sa labor habang kami ay nakikipag laban sa labor ang aming iquama ay na expired narin sa hinde namin inaasahang pag kakataon isa sa aming kasamahan ay nag kasakit ng malubha sa kagustohan naming mapauwi sya kami ay nakipag kasundo sa aming empolyer na bumalik sa trabaho. kasabay narin ng pangako nya sa amin na aayusin lahat ang problema lalonglalo na ang aming iquama.
    ngunit nong kami ay makabalik sa aming trabaho. sinabi ng amo namin na kami ang mag papa renew ng aming iquama at wala na silang sagutin sa amin maging ang benefits.

    panopo ba ang aming gagawin hinde naman namin kayang mag pa renew ng aming iquama
    pwedi na ba kaming lumipat ng ibang kumpanya. kahit expired ang aming iquama.

    salamat

    FERNANDO SAQUING

    • Fern,

      Noong kayo ay nakipag-ayos sa inyong employer, kasama ba ang POLO? Dahil kung kasama ang POLO sa negosasyon, dapat lamang idulog ninyo ito uli sa POLO.

      Malinaw po sa batas paggawa na ang employer ang siyang magbayad ng iqama hindi ang worker.

      Tungkol sa paglipat ng ibang kompanya, kung ang dahilan ay hindi na kayo kayang pa-sweldohin, puwede po kayong lumipat sa iba. Mas maganda kung nasa RED category ang inyong employer para mas matibay ang dahilan ng inoyng paglipat sa ibang employer.

      Regards.

      Bong

      • Maraming salamat po sainyong napakagandang kasagutan

        mayroon po akong tanong Papaano po yung benefits namin kung sakaling hinde na nga ma renew ang iquama dahil sa aming nakikita wala ng balak mag bayad ang companny namin hihintayin na lang nilang pauwiin kami ng gobyerno dito sa riyadh.yung ibang kasamahan namin dito mahigit ng 20 taong nag tatrabaho dito.

        eto po pangalan ng company namin AL-MANEE FURNITURE MFG.CO. pwedi po bang ppaki tingnan kung nasa anong kulay itong company namin

        maraming salamat po

        Fernando Saquing

        • Fern,

          Hintayin natin kung ano ang implementing regulations na gagawin ng Saudi Government kung mag impose na sila ng restrictions sa Red and Yellow category. Payo ko lang, habang maaga, mag scout na kayo ng bagong employer kung Red ang kompanya ninyo. Pakibigay iqama mo at ma -check category ng Al Manee.

          Bong

      • Dear Sir.
        Maraming salamat po sa inyong magandang kasagutan.
        tanong po uli namin marami sa amin ay mahigit kumulang 20 taon ng nag tatrabaho dito sa aming companya. pano kung sakaling hinde nga e renew ng company namin ang aming iquama at kailangan na kaming pauwiin ng saudi goverment pano namin makukuha ang aming benefit at saka yung aming pending salary na halos ay 10 month.

        ang malaking pag kakamali namin nakipag kasundo kami saaming employer na wala ang POLO.
        matutulongan paba uli kami ng POLO.

        MARAMING SALAMAT PO

        FERNANDO SAQUING

        • Fern,

          May sagot na ako tungkol dito pero keep me posted para alam ko ang inyong situwasyon.

          Tama ka, ang POLO/OWW at Embahada lamang ang entity na may authority upang tayo ay matulongan. Oo kaming mga community leader ay makakatulong pero limitado po ang aming kilos dahil hindi po kami authorize na makipag mediate sa mga employer. Kaya pag hindi na po namin kaya ang problema ng isa sa ating mga kahanay, sa kanila POLO/OWWA pa rin ang aming referral sa inyo. Kaya huwag kayong mag atubiling puntahan sila dahil trabaho po nila ang pangalagaan ang ating kapakanan at karapatan.

          Sa susunod, humingi muna ng payo sa POLO/OWWA at kung sakali na paatras ang kanilang tulong instead na forward, huwag ring mag atubiling isumbong sa ating blog upang ito ay makarating sa mataas na kinauukolan.

          Bong

  58. Sir Bong,

    I resigned in my present company kasi merun another company nag hire sa akin which is not a competitor…In my present company hindi pa ako naka completo ng 2 years..Wala bang problema sa pagbalik ko (in immigration) if mag exit ako sa present company ko then balik sa KSA within a month for another employer?

    Please share your expertise.

    Thanks.

        • Nedz,

          Sabi mo mag resign ka, ibig sabihin EXIT ang dapat ibigay sa iyo kung ito ay aprobahan nila ang iyong resignation. But please note that your employer has the right to ask you for payment sa mga expenses na nagastos nila sa pagkuha sa iyo sa Pinas. Ito ay dahil ayaw mong taposin ang iyong kontrata.

          Bong

  60. sir good day po ulit magtanong lang po ako ulit im under renewal of contract pero my iqama has still 3 months validity nlang po. snce our company belongs to RED category,does it mean that i will be able to know the real status ng company ahead of time?If ever na ma renew po ang iqama ko what could possibly be the effect related don sa grace period until december para sa RED category? Does it mean po ba na kahit na renew iqama ko beyond the month of December they will cut our immediate contract since we belong t o RED company!!Thanks lot po ulit and more power!!

    • Dan,

      Ang red category ay may palugit hanggang September. So kung hindi maka pag comply ang inyong company, it means the government or jawsat will not renew your iqama pag mag apply ka ng renewal, automatic na po ito. Kung ma-renew man ito na hindi natin alam kung bakit, then you can still work with the company if you want.

      Bong

  62. Sir,

    I know green category ang company nmin. Tanong ko po kung gusto ko mag-exit at bumalik sa ibang company, kailangan ko pa po ba ng NOC para makabalik?

    Mario

    • Mar,

      Kung ang babalikan mong company ay ka-kompetensya ng kasalukuyan mong employer at may mga sekreto kang nalalaman sa pag patakbo or mga confidential clients ng company dapat lamang na mayron kang NOC. Pero kung ikaw ay isang ordinaryong kawani lamang na walang access sa mga nabanggit ko, hindi na kailangan ang NOC.

      Ang NOC nga pala ay depende sa company or employer kung ibigay or hindi or nasa diskresyon ng employer.

      Regards.

      Bong

  63. Sir,

    Good Day!

    I will be having my annual vacation this coming September and I will stay in Philippines for 1 month, My iqama will expire on November, is it going to be a problem since our company belong in red category?

    Thank you!

    Rocky

    • Rocky,

      What exactly the date of your vacation? and the date your iqama will expire? Usually, jawasat will not approve an exit re-entry application kung ang iqama ay isang buwan na lang mag expire na. Ibig sabihin, you need to renew your iqama. Dito natin malaman kung naka pag comply ba ang inyong company sa Nitaqat system. Dahil kung hindi aprobahan ang renewal ng iyong iqama, ibig sabihin hindi nakapag-comply ang inyong employer sa kautusan. You have two option therefore, not to proceed with your vacation and instead scout or transfer to another company belong to Green and Excellent category OR leave KSA on Exit Visa.

      Bong

      • thank you sir! 2nd week po ng september ang vacation at babalik po ako 2nd week ng october, 30 days vacation lng po. nov17 po mag expire ang iqama ko. vacation lng tlaga muna ang plan ko kung pede. tnX

        • Rock,

          Check mo lang sa Jawasat kung aprobahan, considering na mabibilang na lang ang days sa iyong iqama pag balik mo sa KSA. Pero kung hindi naman ito ipa-renew ng inyong Personnel Dept, siguro walang problema. Dito kasi sa amin, pag alanganin ang expiration date ng iqama habang nagbabakasyon ay pinapa-renew talaga ng Personnnel Dept.

          Good luck and Happy vacation.

          Bong

  64. Kuya sa Agency sa Pinas, ano ang pananaguta nila sa ofw, kung yung kontata mo di natapos sa employer, at bayad muna ng agency ng placement fee, makukuha ko po ba ang placement ko,. since ang placement ay bayad sa 2 yrs kontrak?
    2. Kung ayaw magbayad ng employer, ano gawin ko , lalo na natuklasan na ang binigay sa OFW na Job Order sa visa, ay mag kaiba sa inaaplayan mo, maipsara ba ang agency?
    3. Nakita po namin na ang kontata na pinimahan sa emplyer ay yun ang hiring, pero ang visa ay iba at malayo sa inapalyan mo, ano ba ang parusa kung mapatunayan ang Agency at nag isyu ang POEA ng J,O na wala sa employer na hiing?

    • Tsubs,

      Ang placement fee ay hindi po subject for reimbursement under any given circumstances not unless if the OFW file a comlaint against the agency and the court issued a decision with an order to return the fee to the complainant.

      Puwede kang mag complain sa NLRC against the agency. Please read “Supreme Court Decision re: OFW Cases” found in blog pages.

      Tsub, wala kabang pinirmahan sa agency na “POEA Full Disclosure of Employment Contract”. OFW should always be aware of his/her Visa Category. If the visa category is different from the official work at site, an OFW should acknowledge that he/she is aware about it BUT salary and official designation shall be applied at site. This document should be signed by both the OFW and the Manager or Owner of the recruitment agency. Please read this link : http://ofwempowerment.wordpress.com/2011/07/05/tidbits-the-nitaqat-and-poea-fdp/

      Please note na aware po ang POEA tungkol sa magkaibang Visa category at sa tunay na work ng worker pagdating sa site. At para po maging legal ito, kaya po may tinatawag na “POEA Full Disclosure Policy”. In this manner, the worker is aware that his visa is different from his exact work at site. Pero kung pagdating sa site at iba ang designation nito sa kanyang kontrata or sa inaplayan ng worker, ibang usapan na po ito, ang tawag nito ay contract substitution.

      Ang dahilan bakit magkaiba ang visa category at ang tunay na work ng worker pagdating sa KSA ay dahil po wala pong makuha ang employer na visa category na tugma sa kanilang kailangan na worker. Kaya kung ano ang available na visa, ito muna ang kanilang ginagamit upang makakuha ng tao sa Pinas. Pero, gaya ng sabi ko, dapat po aware ang worker or aplikante na ang visa niya ay iba sa kanyang tunay na trabaho pagdating sa site.

      Regards.

      Bong

  65. Kuya Bong ano ba ang policydito sa KSA, kung halimaba yung mag firs timer sa kSA, nag signed ng kontrata na halimbawa 2 taon, din hindi ka nakatapos nag kontrata, sa pgkat tinggal ka ng employer mo pero walang dahilan , basta inalis ka lang kasi magbabawas sila ng empleydo,
    ano po ang habol ng employee sa di natapos na kontrata, halima isa at kakahting taon din tinggal kaagad.
    2. Hihingi ka ng termination paper na pinasignan mo ayaw kang bigyan, ngunit nag sign ka naman dahil ayaw ng gulo?
    3.babayaran ba ng employer ang ang anim na buwan para sa di natatapos?
    4. Tingaggal ka ngunit di ka naabesuhan, nalaman na lang nag tinggal ka mga 1 week na nakalipas? ano po ang kaso dyan sa employer.
    5.nataggal ka ng lumampas na ng isang buwan di ka pa rin nakauwe?
    dahil walang tiket, walang pera bayad at ano pang mag papeles para sa exit?
    6. kp[agha nagsumbong ba sa Embahjada o POL ang OFW makuha ba nya sa employer ang karapatdapat na tanggapin?
    7. Hindi ba matatagalan magtambay sa KSA ang nagsumbong?
    8.Gaano ka bilis makauwe ang nag sumbong sa PInas?
    9. Saan ba patirahi ang nagsumbong kung sakali paalisin na ng elpyer sa akomodesyun sa dahilan nagsususmbong?
    10. Pakakainin nyo ba ang mga OFW na tinanggal na walang dahilan at patoitahin nyo po ba sila.

    Mraming Salamat

    Tsubasko H.

    • Tsubs,

      1) Art. 77. If the contract is terminated for an invalid reason, the party who is harmed by such termination shall be entitled to indemnity to be assessed by the Commission for the Settlement of Labor Disputes

      2) Ang karapatan ay dapat ipaglaban. Kung buo ang loob na lumaban, hindi dapat sang-ayonan ang anomang deklarasyon na labag sa kalooban.

      3) Art. 77. The party who is harmed by such termination shall be entitled to indemnity to be assessed by the Commission for the Settlement of Labor Disputes. Taking into account the termination circumstances and actual and potential material and moral damages sustained.

      4) Question # 4 (see below Article)

      Article 75. If the contract is of an indefinite term, either party may terminate it for a valid reason to be specified in a written notice to be served to the other party at least thirty days prior to the termination date if the worker is paid monthly and not less than fifteen days for others.

      Article 76. If the party terminating the contract does not observe the period provided for in Article (75) of this Law, such party shall be required to pay the other party compensation equal to the worker’s wage for the duration of the notice or the balance thereof.

      5) Dapat makauwi agad ang worker within a maximum period of one week. Ito ay obligasyon ng employer na makauwi agad ang worker na tinanggal sa trabaho. SLL Art. 88.

      6) Hindi po. Ang Embahada at POLO ay mamagitan lamang, at e-mediate ang problema between the employee and the employer. Hahanap ng solusyon agreeable on both sides para maayos ang problema. Pag hindi maayos, ang worker ay mag desisyon kung gusto ba niyang mag file ng complaint sa Saudi Labor. Ang POLO ang siyang gagabay sa worker sa tamang proseso ng reklamo at pag ito ay naisampa na sa hukuman ang taga POLO ang siyang maging interpreter nito.

      8) Pag nasa korte na, matatagalan po dahil mag schedule po ito ng hearing dates at matatagalan lalo pag hindi pagsipot ang employer sa mga nakatakdang hearing.

      9) Kung lalaki po, wala pong matutuluyan ito. Makikituloy lamang sa mga kaibigan na gustong tumulong. Pag Babae naman, ito ay pansamantalang ilagay sa Bahay Kalinga or Filipino Workers Resource Center or sa Saudi Welfare Administration or SWA.

      10) Kung walang pera ang distressed worker, ito ay makikikain sa mga kaibigan or magtinda ng kahit ano sa Batha or Ballad upang makakain ng 3 beses isang araw at hindi maging pabigat sa mga kaibigan. Or kung ito ay kasama or kasapi sa isang Filipino Community organization, siya ay pansamantalang bigyan ng tuluyan or bigyan ng allowance or mag ambag ambag ang grupo para siya mabuhay habang nililitis ang kanyang reklamo.

      Salamat rin sa iyong pagbisita.

      Bong

  66. Sir good day po gusto ko lang po ulit magtanong finished contract na po ako by Aug 3 tommorw but afew months back they offer me for a renewal wlc i accepted but until now wala pa po kaming contract for renewal i also inquireabout our iqama and still 3 months validity pa dw po! 2 days ago i went to our head office to ask for an update and sabi nila intay lang daw kmi on-going dw po processing,sir do you think they are telling us the truth?Our company belongs to RED category but im doubtful if they are doing something in order to comply!! Sir pls we need your advice thanks lot and more power

    • Dhannie,

      Dito sa KSA hindi na uso ang bagong kasulatan ng kontrata kung mag renew ka ng contract. Ibig sabihin po noon, automatic renewal po kung tinaggap mo ang mag renew or gusto pang mag trabaho sa kompanya. Ang ibig pong sabihin nito ay nasa UNSPECIFIED contract ka na at ayon sa Batas PAggawa, ang expiration ng iyong iqama ay ang iyong end of contract. Hintayin muna natin ang Sept. 11, 2011 na kung saan dito mag start ang implementations ng mga restrictions at kung hindi talaga sila maka pag-comply then its your choice, not to renew your iqama and go home for good or transfer to another company.

      Regards.

      Bong

  67. Have a good day sir!

    I am with a green (excellent) category company, at the moment nothing to worry about. But i have some questions to clarify, and to understand more ’bout saudization. i am confused about six (6) years length of our (expats) stay here in the kingdom. Does it means with my current employer (am 3 years now), i can only have another 3 more years to stay? what if ill go exit? cause i got an offer from the other department (same company) and they ask me to go exit and re hire me after a month. ang 6 years ba will start from the date of my new working visa? in case, does it applies the same if i move or apply to another company? or no matter how many employers i work with, six years applies from the date of your first entry in the kingdom. sorry po dami kong tanong. maraming salamat po.

    God Bless and more power!

    Paul

    • Paul,

      Wala pong 6 years cap ang ang expats na belong to Green and Excellent zone. Ang may 6 years cap ay ang Yellow category lamang. I’ll paste it again below para makuha mo, ok.

      Yellow: (a) Companies in this category will not be able to extend their foreign employees work visa’s beyond six years. Punitive measures against companies classified in the ‘yellow’ category will be effective from the first day of Rabi Al-Thani next year (Feb. 23, 2012) at the end of a nine-month grace period.

      Excellent: (a) Companies will be able to renew work permits of expatriate workers irrespective of their period of stay (in the Kingdom).

      Green: a) Companies will be entitled to a number of benefits, such as expedited services for foreign workers’ visas

      Ulitin ko, ang yellow category lamang ang may six year cap at hindi po kasali ang Green at Excellent dito. Kaya kung mag exit ka at babalik, siguradohin mo lang na hindi ka babagsak sa Yellow category na kompanya.

      Bong

  68. Sir Bong,
    So ok lng po na mag stay lng kami d2 kahit red kami? mag scout lng po muna? and kelan po kami magandang lumipat ng company if ever meron.. tapusin po ba muna ung contract ko d2 bago ako mag hanap or pede na after ng implementation kahit di pa tapos ang contract sir?

    • Ecatama,

      Hindi naman po dahil Red na ang inyong kompanya pagdating ng implementations ng restrictions, ito ay magsasara na, hindi po. At in fairness naman sa mga ito, dapat lamang na gawin sa magandang paraan an inyong paglipat kung kinakailangan. Sinabi man sa Nitaqat na puwede kayong lumipat kahit walang pahintulot ng kompanya – mas maganda na rin na maghiwalay na nasa lugar.

      Malinaw kasi sa Nitaqat (Red category) na hindi na puwedeng ma renew ang work permit ng mga expats, ibig pong sabihin matatapos lamang po ang ugnayan ninyo ng inyong sponsor when your work permit expires. But of course, make sure na bago darating ang expiration ng iqama or 3 to 6 months before matapos ang work permit ay handa na po ang expats sa mga susunod na maaaring mangyayari.

      Regards.

      Bong

  69. gudpm, kasama po ba ang mga nurses n maapektuhan ng saudization? im a clinic nurse here in ksa pero marami branch namin at malaki din population ng employees. can i ask our category? here is my iqama number.xxxxx tenks.

  70. sir pa check naman po ng company namin, nag aalala kasi ako bumalik jan sa KSA bka kasama company ko sa saudization.. eto po Iqama # ko. xxxxx thanks…

      • Sir first time ko po d2 sa thread..ask ko lng po kung kelan po ba ang right time mag hanap ng bagong company.. kaka dating ko lng po ulit d2 galing sa vacation.. may 1 year contract pa po ako.. kelangan ko na bang maghanap or bago mag end ang contract ko po.. ano po suggestion nio sir. Red po status ng company namin..

        Tnx po.

        • Eca,

          Ngayon palang mag scout ka ng bagong kompanya pero hindi ko sinasabing huminto ka sa work. Ang implementation ng mga restrictions ay after pa po sa September 11 of this year. Payo ko, tuloy tuloy lamang po ang trabaho at huwag magpakita ng kung ano mang mga hakbang na maaring maging sanhi ng mga problema.

          Bong

  71. mr. Bong,
    regarding the question i gave you before,i am here in the kingdom since 1993.i am working in one of the female university here in jeddah under operation and maintenance department(sub-contract)up to present.since 1993,we keep on transfering company,whoever gets the contract in the university.1993-1998,one company,1998-2004,one company,2004-2007,one company,2007-up to this moment,one company.how they will consider the lenght of stay here in the kingdom?is it per company?please let us know.thank you very much.

    • Helen,

      Sabi mo subcon, matanong kita, tuwing nililipat kayo sa iba ibang company, nabago rin ba ang iyong iqama? If the answer is NO, then the length of stay is calculated from the issuance of your iqama. If ever, everytime na transfer ka sa ibat ibang company, nababago rin ang iyong work permit in the name of each company – it means the length of service ay kalkulahin per company. So for instance naka 3 years ka sa last company na kung saan sila ang nakalagay as your sponsor in your iqama, then your length of service is 3 years lang.

      Bong

  72. Good Day Sir!

    I just want to ask also the category of our company, my iqama number is xxxx . One other thing, my colleague was already in his 60′S and he heard rumors that 60 year old expats are also candidate for non-renewal of iqama. Is there any truth about this?

    Appreciate very much for your kind feedback.

    Maraming Salamat.

    • Arabic to English translation
      Search Result
      No. Group: 15-2-630778 Name: RAOUL REYES DEREGLA evaluation of the facility: Red

      Article 74.4: A work contract shall terminate in the following cases:

      4. The worker attains the age of retirement, which is sixty years for males and fifty five years for females, unless the two parties agree upon continuing work after this age. The retirement age may be reduced in cases of early retirement as provided for in the work organization regulation. If it is a fixed-term work contract which extends beyond the retirement age, it shall terminate at the end of its term.

  73. Sir, saan po ba malaman na kasama kami sa termination as MOH,kasi 25 years na kami dito assigned sa PHC as registered midwife kasi sa balita na palitan na nila ng saudi midwife,under Qunfuda area kami,maraming salamat po.

  74. my company category is yellow.i am here since 1993 as maintenance engineer in a female university here in jeddah.when i first came here,my position is technical technician then became maintenance engineer.but my visa is a cleaner.what will happen next?

    • Helen,

      You are 18 years working with your employer. Your visa category and designation in the company is not important with Nitaqat policy. Am sorry to tell you that companies in this category will not be able to extend their foreign employees work visa’s beyond six years.

      Bong

          • kapag gusto na ng tao mag exit o kaya termiantion w.o cause, gaano ka tagal mag proseso ang dukomento, bago makalbas sa ksa, din kung di mo natapos ang kontrata, ano ba obligasyun ng companya, dina yung pinirmahan na lugar hindi sya inasyan pinalipat lipat ano bang kaso nya o wala lang ask lang po.

            salamat

            • CJ,

              You need to read this…. taken from Philippine Embassy website: http://www.philembassy-riyadh.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=60&Itemid=90

              Q50 Does the employer have an absolute right to transfer or reassign workers from one place to another place?

              A: As a general rule, the right to transfer or reassign worker from one place to other flows from the employer’s right to exercise his management prerogative in line with his interest.

              This right however is subject to recognized limitations, either by contract or law. Under the Saudi Labor Law, “the employer may not transfer the worker from his original workplace to another place that entails a change in his place of residence, if such transfer is likely to cause a serious harm to the worker and it is not justified by the nature of work.”(Art. 58, SLL)

              Q68 Can either party (worker or employer) terminate the Work Contract for no valid reason?

              A: Yes, either party may cancel or terminate the contract for no valid reason but “the party who is harmed by such termination shall be entitled to an indemnity to be assessed by the Commission for the Settlement of Labor Disputes, taking into account the termination circumstances and actual and potential material and moral damages sustained.”(Art. 77, SLL)

              Q69 Is acceptance by employer needed in case of resignation?

              A: Legally, there is no need to get acceptance by employer provided that the 30-day advance notice has been complied with. However, to preserve harmonious relation with employer, it is advised that the worker should talk things out with the employer. The employer cannot force the worker to continue his work or duties against his consent or will, but the latter may however be made to indemnify the employer for the consequence of his act or non-compliance of contract. (Art. 77,SLL)

      • sir bong muzta na po.muli po akong magtatanong sa nyo at pacenya na po sa muli kung pagtata nong tungkol sa kalagayan ng company ng asawa ko kze balita po red na cla eh dati po green ricardo cabatocan dalawa po kze ang company nila yung isa po factory red po yun sabi pinagsama daw kaya red na raw ang mr.ko pwede po ba yun green tapos magiging red thank u. po at kau ang nakakatulong sa aming mga katanungan na binibigyan nyo ng sagot.

    • Sir Bong thank u po at napag ukulan nyo ng panahon na sagutin ang tanong ko alam ko po napakarami nyo cnasagot na katanungan..ipapa check ko po ang equima # ng kasamahan ng asawa ko sa tarbaho hindi daw po ma check ang number nia xxxxxx.

      • hi.sir bong muzta po kau thank u po sa pagrereply sa mga tanong ko.sir magtatanong po uli ako ang sabi po pag naka more than 6years hindi na makakarenew kahit po ba green at mre than 6 years na hindi na marerenew kze po ang expired ng iquima ng asawa ko march 2013 pero matagal na po cia sa saudi yun naman po ba ang magiging last contrack nia.at my nagsasabi pa po na yung iquima na nag uumpisa sa 200 hindi na rerenew minsan mahirap pong maniwala sa sabi,sabi ng iba kaya mas gusto ko na lang po sa nyo magtanong mas maniniwala ako.salamat po uli sir bong.

        • Arch,

          Don’t worry po hindi po kasama ang Green sa six year cap. Malinaw po ang sinasabi sa Nitaqat system: Companies will be able to renew work permits of expatriate workers irrespective of their period of stay (in the Kingdom).

          Cheers!

          Bong

  81. Sir,i am planning to go this coming December 2011 for 3 months vacation and my Iqama will expire next year November 2012. My company is in Yellow category. Posible po ba na makakabalik pa ako d2 sa Saudi Arabia.
    Thanx in advance..God Bless

  84. Isang mapagpalang araw sa iyo Mr. Bong!

    Nais ko pong humingi ng tulong sa inyo para maberipika kung anong kategorya ang kumpanyang aking pinapasukan.

    Ang sumusunod ay aking information;

    Name: Mr. Reiner Sotomayor Dayapera
    Iqama Number: xxxxxx

    Maraming salamat po ng marami sa inyong walang sawang pagsuporta sa mga OFW dito sa kaharian ng Saudi Arabia.

    Gumagalang at nagpapasalamat,

    RSD

  86. sir gud day po ask me lang po mag end contract po ako this 03 august now ask po ako nila ko for renewal which i accepted and suppose to be schedule for my vacation 7 sept. mdyo confuse me as of now kc po lately i found out RED category company namin. also i have checked my iqama and still has 4 months validity pa. Sir pwede pa po kya me mka bakasyon if ever and makabalik pa ako i am after my benefits kc rin! At this point of time im having a second thought in renewing my contract sir pls kindly advice thnks and more power!! ( Dannie )

    • Dan,

      Payo ko sa iyo hintayin mo muna ang last date of compliance ng nitaqat at obserbahan kung nag comply ba ang inyong kompanya sa kautusan. Kung hindi, ibig sabihin hindi na ma-renew ang iyong iqama at kahit mag re-entry ka, hindi na rin aprobahan ng passport dept. ang iyong request for re-entry.

      Bong

  88. Sir Bong, good morning! Tanong ko lang; posible bang malaman kung saang category ang company namin sa Saudi Arabia, kung ang Company Name mismo ang ii – enquire instead of Iqama information?

    Thanks in advance for your kind help and usual cooperation to all OFW’s.

    God Bless!

    Daboy

  90. Sir,

    Good Day!

    1. I belong in red category.
    2. I have offer to work for another company.
    3. Can I possibly join them now? If not ,when? my passport is in my hold.

    Thank you!

    As Always,

    Rocky

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