Saudi Arabia's revised Nitaqat (or Saudisation) scheme would adversely impact the Indian migrants working there. The latest revision in the job scheme allows only a few organisations with high grades to apply for new block visas from September, reported Times of India.
Saudi Arabia's revised Nitaqat (or Saudisation) scheme would adversely impact the Indian migrants working there. The latest revision in the job scheme allows only a few organisations with high grades to apply for new block visas from September, reported Times of India.
According to the latest data available, in 2016, nearly 25 lakh Indians were working in Saudi Arabia. However, the numbers are on a constant decline due to various issues.
Top origin states for emigration clearances for Saudi Arabia in 2016 were Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar and Kerala respectively.
What is Nitaqat or Saudisation scheme?
Saudisation of the workforce is a government policy that allows the replacement of foreign workers with Saudi nationals in the private sector.
Since 2005, the target Saudisation rate has been set at 75% for the private sector,however, in most sectors the actual rates are still much lower, because most Saudis are not interested in working jobs requiring manual labor.
Aimed to increase job opportunities for local youth, the Nitaqat system was introduced in 2011. Under Nitaqat, Employers are divided into four categories, Platinum, Green (with three sub categories of high, medium and low), Yellow and Red.
Those in Platinum have a higher proportion of Saudi nationals as employees (generally 40% or more).
The revised Nitaqat scheme, will only allow employers in 'Platinum' and 'High Green' categories to apply for for new block visas.
Experts believe that the construction and healthcare sector would be the primary sectors to feel the heat of revised orders.
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