عاجل

Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers has approved a new regulation granting the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) the authority to determine financial compensation for employing the dependents of foreign workers within the private sector, according to a report in the Saudi newspaper Okaz.

The decision, described as an unprecedented organizational step, aims to integrate this demographic more systematically into the Saudi labor market, offering a legal alternative to recruiting workers from abroad. The move is aligned with broader government efforts to diversify the economy and increase the participation of all residents in the workforce.

The financial compensation will be determined in collaboration between the MHRSD and the Ministry of Finance, with input from the Non-Oil Revenue Development Center. The fee will be equivalent to the levy currently imposed on foreign workers in the private sector, a measure intended to ensure financial fairness and standardize regulatory frameworks, Okaz reported.

The regulation permits dependents to work in professions and specializations that align with their academic and professional qualifications, subject to specific conditions. These include fulfilling the requirements for practicing the profession and passing approved professional competency tests. Employment of spouses or a male guardian is limited to female workers. Employers must similarly verify that qualified Saudi nationals are not available to fill the positions, according to lists maintained by the MHRSD.

The new rules stipulate that employing dependents must be a direct substitute for recruiting foreign workers and that the employer’s activities must comply with the requirements of the “Nitaqat” program, a Saudization initiative designed to increase employment opportunities for Saudi citizens.

The decision has officially come into effect, with expectations that it will improve the living conditions of foreign workers, provide legal employment opportunities for their dependents, and support the efficiency and sustainability of the Saudi labor market, in line with the Kingdom’s economic development goals and Vision 2030.

The MHRSD is the government agency responsible for setting public policy for labor regulations in both the public and private sectors, according to its official website (https://www.hrsd.gov.sa/). The agency also oversees social affairs and development programs. The website of the national platform (https://www.my.gov.sa/ar/agencies/17900) confirms this role.

Further details regarding the implementation of the financial compensation mechanism and the specific procedures for employers are expected to be announced by the MHRSD in the coming weeks. The agency’s online services portal (https://eservices.taqat.sa/) provides access to services for individuals, the private sector, and government entities.

The Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF), known as “هدف”, offers employment support programs for establishments, including financial assistance to cover a portion of the wages of newly hired Saudi nationals (https://www.hrdf.org.sa/products-and-services/programs/establishments/enable/employment-support/). It remains unclear whether similar support will be extended to employers hiring the dependents of foreign workers under the new regulations.

A multi-billion riyal aid package is being disbursed to eligible Saudi citizens, following a royal decree issued by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The directive, initiated upon the recommendation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, authorizes the immediate distribution of financial assistance to beneficiaries of the Citizen’s Account program, beginning as early as the 12th of Ramadan.

The total value of the royal grant exceeds 3 billion Saudi Riyals. Eligible families will receive 1,000 Riyals, with an additional 500 Riyals allocated for each dependent, according to announcements from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. The funds are being deposited directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

The Ministry has outlined a phased disbursement schedule. Those who completed their data updates before the 10th of Ramadan will receive payments on the 12th of Ramadan. A second disbursement is scheduled for the 20th of Ramadan for those who updated their information after the 10th.

The Ministry emphasized that access to the aid is contingent upon completing the data update process through the designated platform. This measure is intended to ensure that support reaches those who are legitimately eligible, following a periodic verification of information.

The initiative is presented as a continuation of the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting vulnerable groups and improving the quality of life for citizens, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan. King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have consistently prioritized the needs of beneficiaries of the Citizen’s Account program, according to state media reports.

RIYADH – In a sweeping reform impacting millions of expatriates and their families, Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports has announced an immediate change to its exit visa procedures. The new policy automatically includes all family members and dependents on a single exit visa application, a process previously requiring individual applications and considerable administrative overhead.

The change, which affects an estimated 13 million foreign residents, streamlines the departure process through the Absher electronic platform. Previously, securing exit visas for multiple family members could take weeks. Now, according to reports, the process can be completed in minutes.

“I was worried about the complexities of arranging travel for my family of five,” said Ahmed Al-Masri, an accountant based in Riyadh. “Now, with a single click, everyone will be included.”

The Directorate of Passports stipulated that the exit visa is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance, provided the resident’s identity card (Iqama) remains valid for at least 30 days. The application process, described as simple as ordering food through mobile apps, involves logging into Absher, selecting the service, entering the required data, and confirming the issuance.

The decision aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, which prioritizes the digitization of government services. Dr. Khalid Al-Ghamdi, a public administration expert, stated that the new procedure is expected to save up to 80% of the time and effort previously required. “This is akin to the revolution in electronic banking – moving from long queues to the convenience of home,” said Mohammed Al-Hindi, a project manager who has observed service development in the Kingdom over the past decade.

Early reports indicate a significant impact. Sari, a Filipina domestic worker, was able to finalize her and her family’s departure procedures within minutes, a stark contrast to the weeks it previously took. The service is also accessible to domestic workers through a dedicated section on the Absher platform.

The shift has noticeably reduced congestion at passport offices, allowing staff to focus on more complex tasks. Experts estimate the new system will save approximately 100,000 hours of operate per month across the Kingdom.

The Ministry of Interior’s General Directorate for Expatriate Affairs can be contacted via email at exp@hq.moi.gov.sa for inquiries related to expatriates and residents, according to information published on the Ministry’s website.

While the change has been widely welcomed, the long-term implications for administrative staffing and potential adjustments to other government services remain to be seen. The Directorate of Passports has not yet announced whether similar streamlining measures will be applied to other services.

CAIRO – Egyptian physician Hossam Mowafi, a professor of critical care medicine at Kasr El-Ainy Faculty of Medicine, has sparked discussion by linking modern medical understandings of biological age to verses within the Quran. The remarks came during an appearance on the “Wa Qul Rabb Zidni ‘Ilman” (And say, “My Lord, increase me in knowledge”) program on Sada El Balad television channel, following widespread online rumors concerning his health.

Sources close to Dr. Mowafi confirmed his health is stable and dismissed reports of his death circulating on social media as unfounded and malicious. He used his program appearance to address the false reports and then transitioned to a discussion of biological age, a concept he asserts is reflected in the Quranic text.

Mowafi emphasized the distinction between chronological age – the age recorded on official documents – and biological age, which is determined by the actual health and condition of the body. He stated this differentiation is crucial for accurate medical decision-making, including determining appropriate medication dosages, making critical care assessments, and evaluating medical risks. “Biological age is very important in intensive care, because it helps doctors make accurate decisions about the treatment the patient needs,” he said.

He cited a verse from Surah Al-Qasas (Chapter 28) – “ قَالَ مَا خَطْبُكُمَا ۖ قَالَتَا لَا نَسْقِي حَتَّىٰ يُصْدِرَ الرِّعَاءُ ۖ وَأَبُونَا شَيْخٌ كَبِيرٌ” (He said, “What is the matter with you?” They said, “We do not water until the shepherds drive [their flocks] out; and our father is an aged man.”) – as evidence of the Quran’s prescience. Mowafi explained that the Arabic word “shaykh” (شيخ) traditionally refers to someone over the age of fifty, while “kabir” (كبير) denotes a more advanced stage of aging, aligning with the modern medical understanding of biological age and its correlation to bodily health.

In a separate discussion, Dr. Mowafi revealed he had purchased a 400-page scientific book on water and its impact on the human body, costing a significant sum in US dollars, decades ago. He stated that the book’s core findings were encapsulated in just four words from Surah Al-Hijr (Chapter 15): “وَأَرْسَلْنَا الرِّيَاحَ لَوَاقِحَ فَأَنْزَلْنَا مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَسْقَيْنَاكُمُوهُ وَمَا أَنْتُمْ لَهُ بِخَازِنِينَ” (And We send the fertilizing winds and send down from the sky rain and give you to drink from it and We do not possess it for storage). He described the book as detailing the phenomenon of water diluting blood components and the potentially fatal consequences of exceeding certain limits. He said he felt compelled to prostrate in gratitude after understanding the book, only to find the same concept expressed succinctly in the Quranic verse during prayer.

Dr. Mowafi also discussed the importance of submission to God, stating that “slavery is a beautiful thing and must be adhered to, and we must teach our children to be only a slave to God.”

The Alexandria International Film Festival will honor the legacy of Dr. Ghada Gabara by naming its “Young Egyptian Filmmakers” competition after her, the Egyptian Film Society announced on Sunday.

The decision, made by the Egyptian Society of Film Writers and Critics under the presidency of film critic Amir Abaza, recognizes Dr. Gabara’s decades-long contribution to Egyptian cinema education and the broader film industry. Dr. Gabara’s career began at the Higher Institute of Cinema, where she excelled in the editing department. She progressed from teaching assistant to professor and head of the department, eventually becoming Dean of the Institute and later, Vice President and then President of the Academy of Arts.

“Here’s a recognition of a career dedicated to nurturing generations of Egyptian filmmakers,” stated the Egyptian Society of Film Writers and Critics in its announcement.

Dr. Gabara’s influence extends beyond academia. She has been a member of the Egyptian Film Syndicate’s board of directors since 2015, serving as First Vice President and since 2023, a member of the board of the Egyptian Society of Film Writers and Critics. Her work within these organizations has focused on supporting the film community and advocating for its interests.

The 42nd edition of the Alexandria International Film Festival for Mediterranean Countries will seize place from September 26 to 30, with opening and closing ceremonies held at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. The competition bearing Dr. Gabara’s name will be a central feature of the festival.

Dr. Gabara has supervised numerous doctoral and master’s theses at Egyptian and Arab academic institutions, and her contributions have been instrumental in shaping the landscape of cinematic education in the region.