Latest news with #Qiwa
Gulf Insider
6 hours ago
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Grants Expat Workers 60 Days To Avoid Being Classified As Absconders
Expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia will now have 60 days to adjust their status before being classified as absconders, under new rules introduced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. The changes, implemented through the ministry's Qiwa platform, reshape how employers can report foreign workers as absent, part of a broader effort to formalise and digitise labour relations in the Kingdom. Under the revised system, an employer may file an absconding report only if the worker's residency permit, or Iqama, is valid for at least 60 days and the employee no longer has an active contract. Once a worker's status is changed to 'disconnected from work,' Qiwa gives them 60 days to either transfer to another employer, leave the country, or sign a new contract with their current company. If no action is taken within that period, the platform will automatically mark the worker as 'absent from work' and remove their name from the company's records, triggering notifications to both the Human Resources and Interior ministries. The system also now terminates contracts automatically once the notice period ends, regardless of whether the separation was initiated by the employer or the employee. Qiwa — a digital portal designed to streamline labour-related services — also provides free employment certificates. Current employees can download a salary certificate reflecting their status, while former employees can request a service certificate documenting previous roles. These official documents, the ministry says, are intended to strengthen résumés and improve job prospects in the Saudi labour market.
Gulf Insider
6 hours ago
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia: Qiwa Sets 60-Day Window Before Reporting Worker As Absent Under New Contract Rules
Qiwa platform has introduced updates to the employment contract system that impact how employers can report workers as 'absent from work.' According to the platform, an employer can only submit such a request if the worker's residency permit (Iqama) is valid for at least 60 days and the worker has no active employment contract at the time of the request. Once a worker's status changes to 'disconnected from work,' they are given a 60-day window to choose one of the following options: transfer to another employer, exit the Kingdom, or re-contract with the same company. If no action is taken within this period, the worker will automatically be marked as 'absent from work' and removed from the company's records. The updated system also stipulates that if the notice period in a work contract ends — whether by the employer's or worker's decision — and the contractual relationship concludes, the contract will be marked as 'terminated.' Failure by the worker to take further action within the grace period will result in an automatic notification to relevant authorities at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) and the Ministry of Interior. The Ministry previously clarified that Qiwa enables workers to obtain free salary definition certificates through the 'Qiwa Individuals' account. If the worker is currently employed, the certificate will reflect current employment information. For past experience, workers can request a service certificate documenting previous roles. To access this feature, workers must log into their Qiwa Individuals account, navigate to services, select 'Employment Certificates,' and follow the steps to generate either a salary certificate or a certificate of service. The platform also supports enhancing CVs and increasing job competitiveness through official documentation of professional experience.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
New Saudi labour rule: Workers now have 60 day window to re-sign, transfer jobs, or exit country
Employers can now report employees as absent only after a mandatory 60-day window/Representative Image TL;DR: The Qiwa platform , run by Saudi Arabia 's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development ( MHRSD ), now enforces a 60-day grace period before marking an employee as 'absent from work.' During this period, disconnected workers can re-contract with their current employer, transfer to a new one, or exit Saudi Arabia. Failure to act within 60 days leads to automatic removal from the employer's records and notification to MHRSD and the Ministry of Interior. As of July 31, 2025, Saudi Arabia's Qiwa labour platform introduced key updates to employment-contract regulations as per a report by Saudi Gazette. Employers are no longer permitted to mark workers as 'absent from work' immediately after contract termination: they must wait at least 60 days, provided the worker's residence permit (Iqama) remains valid. This change brings greater clarity, fairness, and digital efficiency to workforce management. How the New Grace-Period Rule Works Iqama Validity & Disconnection Criteria Employers may submit an absence report only if the worker's Iqama is valid for at least 60 days and there is no active employment contract in place. 60-Day Grace Window Once marked as "disconnected from work", the worker is granted a 6 0-day period to choose one of the following actions: Re-sign with the same employer Transfer sponsorship to a new employer via Qiwa Exit the Kingdom If no action is completed by day 60, the worker is automatically classified as 'absent from work' and removed from the company's contract database. Consequences of Inaction & System Notifications After the grace period expires, Qiwa triggers automatic notifications to the MHRSD and Ministry of Interior, flagging the worker's 'absent' status for enforcement or penalties. If the termination occurs naturally or via choice, once the notice period ends, the contract is marked as 'terminated' in the system. Actual 'absence' status only follows after the full grace window. Value Added: Worker & Employer Benefits Encourages fair treatment, granting workers time to legalize their status and employers time for due-process. Helps stabilize labor market transitions and reduces the risk of sudden loss of legal residency. Aligns job management with Qiwa's vision for transparency and data accuracy across digital records. Offers quick access to employment certificates, salary or service documents, via personal Qiwa accounts, supporting career mobility. Broader Context This update is part of broader labour reforms by MHRSD launched in 2024–25, including standardized dispute settlement rules, salary protection mechanisms, and flexible hiring provisions, supporting the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objective of creating a more transparent, dynamic, and rights-based labour ecosystem. The introduction of a 60-day grace period on the Qiwa platform institutionalizes a balanced approach to employment status transitions in Saudi Arabia. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Malaysia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo It prioritizes worker security, procedural clarity, and system integrity by requiring valid Iqama and a contractual grace period before a worker is marked "absent." This rule aligns with the Kingdom's ongoing labour digitization and modernization efforts and ensures more humane, regulated employer–employee interactions. By digitalizing absence reporting, notifying authorities automatically, and enabling self-service status correction, Qiwa continues to elevate Saudi Arabia's labour framework to global standards. FAQ 1. When can an employer report a worker as absent? Only if the worker has no active contract and the Iqama is valid for at least 60 days. 2. What options does a disconnected worker have? They can re-sign with the same employer, transfer to another via Qiwa, or exit Saudi Arabia within the 60-day window. 3. What happens if no action is taken within 60 days? The worker will be marked "absent from work," removed from employer records, and flagged to MHRSD and Ministry of Interior. 4. Can workers generate employment certificates? Yes, via 'Qiwa Individuals,' they can access salary and service certificates to verify current or former roles. 5. How does this change align with Vision 2030? It's part of broader labour market reforms aimed at digitization, transparency, and rights protection under Saudi Arabia's workforce development plan.
Gulf Business
14 hours ago
- Business
- Gulf Business
Workplace policy: Saudi updates key employment regulations
Image credit: Getty Images The Qiwa platform in Saudi Arabia has rolled out new updates to its employment contract system, introducing significant changes to how employers can report workers as 'absent from work.' Under the updated rules, employers can only submit an absence report if the worker's residency permit (Iqama) is valid for at least 60 days and the worker has no active employment contract at the time of submission, Read- Once a worker's status changes to 'disconnected from work,' they are given a 60-day grace period to take one of three actions: transfer to another employer, leave Saudi Arabia, or re-sign with the same employer. If no action is taken within this period, the worker will automatically be marked as 'absent from work' and removed from the company's records. Terminations and notifications to authorities The system also clarifies that if a work contract ends—whether by the employer's or the worker's decision—it will be recorded as 'terminated' after the notice period concludes. Should the worker fail to act within the allowed grace period, an automatic notification will be sent to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) and the Ministry of Interior. These updates aim to streamline the labor exit and transfer process, ensuring transparency and accountability in employer-employee relationships. Digital certificates now available for workers Qiwa has also introduced digital services that allow workers to obtain free employment-related certificates through their 'Qiwa Individuals' account. Currently employed users can generate salary certificates with up-to-date job details. Former employees may request a service certificate summarizing their previous work history. To access the service, users must log into their Qiwa Individuals account, navigate to 'Employment Certificates,' and follow the instructions. The platform says these tools are designed to boost job competitiveness through verified documentation of experience.
Zawya
16 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi: Qiwa sets 60-day window before reporting worker as absent under new contract rules
RIYADH — Qiwa platform has introduced updates to the employment contract system that impact how employers can report workers as "absent from work." According to the platform, an employer can only submit such a request if the worker's residency permit (Iqama) is valid for at least 60 days and the worker has no active employment contract at the time of the request. Once a worker's status changes to "disconnected from work," they are given a 60-day window to choose one of the following options: transfer to another employer, exit the Kingdom, or re-contract with the same company. If no action is taken within this period, the worker will automatically be marked as "absent from work" and removed from the company's records. The updated system also stipulates that if the notice period in a work contract ends — whether by the employer's or worker's decision — and the contractual relationship concludes, the contract will be marked as 'terminated.' Failure by the worker to take further action within the grace period will result in an automatic notification to relevant authorities at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) and the Ministry of Interior. The Ministry previously clarified that Qiwa enables workers to obtain free salary definition certificates through the "Qiwa Individuals" account. If the worker is currently employed, the certificate will reflect current employment information. For past experience, workers can request a service certificate documenting previous roles. To access this feature, workers must log into their Qiwa Individuals account, navigate to services, select "Employment Certificates," and follow the steps to generate either a salary certificate or a certificate of service. The platform also supports enhancing CVs and increasing job competitiveness through official documentation of professional experience. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
