Saudi Arabia plans law to abolish sponsor system

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Saudi Arabia has plans to introduce a new law which will abolish the much-criticised sponsorship system for foreign workers, by streamlining relationship between employers and their employees.

The new law is expected to be issued ‘very soon’, the Al-Madinah daily reported, quoting a member of the Shoura Council or the national consultative committee.

The Shoura member, who requested anonymity, however, pointed out that the new law to be passed by higher authorities would be based on proposals of the Ministry of Labour and not of the National Society of Human Rights (NSHR).

"Labour Minister Dr Ghazi Al-Gosaibi told a Shoura session that his ministry had presented its viewpoints regarding cancelation of sponsorship rules and that the law would be issued very soon," the Shoura member said.

In a close-door session of the 150-member Shoura, Al-Gosaibi disclosed his ministry's plan to establish specialised companies to organise foreign work force and supervise signing of contracts between employers and workers.

NSHR President Bandar Al-Hajjar said last week that the rights watchdog had presented to authorities a proposal to establish a government commission to look after guest workers.