Nitaqat is a system that the Saudi Govt has introduced in line with “VISION 2030”. The system was introduced in 2011. Its purpose is to hire more and more Saudi Citizens and reduce the workforce of Expatriates in every field. Nitaqat is divided into categories.
According to the ministry of labour Each Category has a specific colour. These colours represent the number of Saudi workers in a company. Companies receive points for hiring more Saudis. This system is designed for the companies, and they get benefits from the Govt.
However, employees can also avail a few benefits which we have discussed in this post.
Nitaqat Colors and Categories.
Nitaqat system represents companies with different colours. A higher colour means that the company has more Saudi workforce and get more benefits from Govt. There are 6 colours and Categories,
- Platinum
- High Green
- Medium Green
- Low Green
- Yellow
- Red
Platinum is the top category colour, while Red is the last category colour. The company and its workers in the Platinum category enjoy more benefits than the companies in green, yellow or red.
However, these colours mainly represent the number of Saudi workforce employment and are solely for the organizations. The companies can avail many benefits like getting visas for expats and renewing work permit online. They can also hire employees from the companies which fall under yellow and red categories.
The companies which are in the yellow zone, they can only renew the work permit of their employes. They are not allowed to hire expats unless they come out of the yellow zone and enter into the green category.
Red zone companies have maximum restrictions, and they have many restrictions to perform anything including renewing a work permit, iqama of their employees. Moreover, their employes can switch to another company without any permission or letter.
Percentage Between Saudi and Expat Work Force
Well, there is no fixed percentage between Saudi and expats, in fact, it varies from sector to sector. For example, the retail industry ( as you can find in mega malls and retails shops) should hire at least 50% Saudis to keep themselves in a higher category. (Green or Platinum). While the construction industry needs only 10 to 30% Saudi employees.
However, none of the industry is exempted from Nitatqat programme. So every company and industry has to hire Saudis.
Nitaqat Benefits For Expats
Expats can get many benefits from nitaqat also. Let’s say that your company falls in the Red Zone. Now, what benefits can you avail from it?
Switch the Organization Without The Permission on Employer (Kafeel, Company)
You can change your company without asking your current employer. The reason is that Govt has allowed it. The Saudi Govt is protecting expat employees also by letting them switch their job.
Remove Huroob Status
If someone has huroob status, he can remove huroob easily and start working in another company. Huroob Status is a complicated situation and in most cases, the people with huroob exit the kingdom.
Change Profession (Mehna)
If your company is in green or platinum zone, then your company can change your profession online. Whatever the job you have, the system will change it to the new one. However, there are few professions which are solely for Saudis. You can check them here.
However, some professions which fall in personal category, like personal driver (Saiq Khaas, Farmers) cant change their job by default. The reason is that the Nitaqat system does not apply to them. It is for business organizations only.
Check Your Nitaqat Status
You can check nitaqat status quite quickly. All you need is follow the link and check the status. There may be an opportunity waiting for you to switch to a better organization if your company falls in the yellow or red nitaqat zone.
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You may also like to know about different fines on iqama. here is the link