The terms of the agreement to employ Pakistani workers between the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistani Affairs and Human Resources Development stressed the need to ensure that no fees are imposed or deductions are made from the worker’s salary for recruitment or employment costs, and that no irregular deductions are imposed.

According to details of the agreement published in the official Umm Al-Qura newspaper (Friday), it aims to bring workers from Pakistan to work legally in Saudi Arabia, and to protect the rights of both employers and workers and regulate the contractual relationship between them.

The agreement stipulates that both parties (the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistani Affairs and Human Resources Development) are committed to implementing a system acceptable to both parties for the recruitment, dispatch, and return of Pakistani workers to work in Saudi Arabia in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. It also stipulates ensuring that workers are recruited through reputable recruitment offices, companies, or agencies licensed by the governments of both countries, as well as regulating or seeking to control recruitment costs in both countries. Furthermore, it stipulates ensuring that recruitment offices, companies, or agencies in both countries, in addition to the employer, do not impose fees or deductions from the worker's salary for recruitment or employment costs, and do not impose any irregular deductions. In addition, it grants the parties to the contract the right to resort to the competent authorities in the event of any contractual dispute in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations, while taking legal measures against recruitment offices, companies, or agencies in the event of any violation of laws, rules, and regulations, and working to resolve any problem that arises from the application and implementation of any provision of this agreement.

The agreement revealed six responsibilities that the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia is committed to, which are as follows: that the recruitment and employment of workers under this agreement be in accordance with the applicable regulations, rules and bylaws; ensuring the promotion of protection and care for the rights of workers working in Saudi Arabia in accordance with the applicable regulations, rules and bylaws; facilitating the opening of a bank account by the employer in the name of the worker to deposit the monthly salary of the worker stipulated in the employment contract; striving to establish a mechanism to provide assistance to workers around the clock; striving to facilitate the rapid settlement of cases of violation of employment contract and other labor cases brought before the competent Saudi authorities/courts; facilitating the issuance of exit visas to return workers to their home country upon completion of the contract or in cases of emergency or if the need arises.

The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development is committed to seven responsibilities, including: ensuring that incoming workers meet health requirements and are free from all infectious diseases

By conducting comprehensive medical examinations through trusted medical centers in Pakistan, ensuring that the nominated workers do not have criminal records, ensuring that the nominated workers are trained in specialized institutes or centers, and educating them about the customs and traditions of the Kingdom, and the terms and conditions of the employment contract, guiding the nominated workers on the necessity of adhering to the regulations, morals, customs and rules of conduct observed during their stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, urging the nominated workers to complete their contract periods, taking the necessary action to facilitate sending the nominated workers to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia within a period not exceeding one month from the date of receiving the visa, facilitating the return of workers in the event of a violation of the contractual conditions by the worker.

The agreement confirmed the formation of a joint technical committee, chaired by high-level representatives from both countries, to undertake the following: (a) conducting periodic reviews to assess and monitor the implementation of this agreement; (b) holding alternate consultative meetings in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan at a time and place agreed upon by both parties. This joint technical committee may form subcommittees or contact points as needed to meet regularly to discuss issues arising from this agreement; (c) submitting the necessary recommendations to resolve disputes arising from the implementation and interpretation of the provisions of this agreement, or amending this agreement whenever necessary. The agreement stipulated that any dispute concerning the interpretation or implementation of this agreement shall be settled amicably through consultations between the two parties via diplomatic channels.

If any amendment or revision of any text of this agreement is desired, it shall be done with the consent of both parties in accordance with the applicable legal procedures in both countries and shall be effective from the date agreed upon between them, while each party shall notify the other party - in writing - through diplomatic channels of the completion of the required local legal procedures; and this agreement shall become effective from the date of the last notification thereof.

The agreement shall be valid for a period of five years and shall be automatically renewed for a similar period or periods, unless one of the parties notifies the other party in writing through diplomatic channels of its desire to terminate it two months prior to the expiry date of this agreement. If the agreement expires, its provisions shall remain in force with respect to agreements and contracts concluded during the period of validity of this agreement.