KHALEEJ TIMES, Tuesday, Sep 14, 2021 | Safar 7, 1443

HRSD ministry directs private sector establishments to register non-Saudi employees’ contracts via qiwa platform

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) directed the private sector establishments to register the contracts of non-Saudi employees through the qiwa platform, Akhbaar24 reported, citing an unnamed source with knowledge of the matter.

Contracts of non-Saudi employees are required to be registered once an employee joins the job, the source explained, adding that the new system aims to protect the rights of employers and employees, provide a stable business environment to increase employees’ productivity, and ensure the compliance of establishments with labor laws. The move will also ensure the validity of contract information, and reduce labor disputes and claims.

As of 2022, the paper employment contracts of non-Saudi employees will not be approved by labor courts or the ministry, the source added, urging all establishments to use e-contracts and register them through qiwa platform.

The source added that a unified e-contract should be made and registered via qiwa platform, in line with the Saudi labor law to benefit from the ministry’s Labor Reform Initiative (LRI).

On Nov. 4, 2020, the ministry launched the LRI under the National Transformation Program (NTP) to enhance the contractual relationship between workers and employers.