DOHA: The GCC states are likely to adopt a unified mechanism to rationalise employment of foreign workers and regulate their movement within the member countries by mid next year.
This proposal was discussed by the GCC labour ministers at their just-concluded meeting in Kuwait. They, however, postponed approval of the proposal until mid 2015, Saudi daily Al Iqtisadiya reported, quoting Bahraini Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan. The meeting didn’t propose an immediate cut in the expatriate workforce in member countries.
“What the ministers agreed is not to reduce the percentage of expatriate workers but on job rationalisation and employment of citizens by preparing them to replace expatriates in a number of areas through training and rehabilitation programmes,” said Humaidan.
Regarding a study presented by the UAE at the meeting on reducing expat workers in GCC states, Al Humaidan said it is only a proposal and includes ideas for further studies. No final decision has been taken on this issue.
“This study will be circulated to members countries for their feedback and in mid 2015 there will be a workshop to discuss their views to know the trends in employment of foreign workers and their movement within the member countries,” said the minister.
He added that no final decision has been taken on movement of expatriate workers within member countries. It will be finalised after the study.
The Kuwaiti Minister of labour and social affairs Hind Al Subaih also said that there is no decision to reduce the number of expatriate workers.
GCC still needs expatriate workers as they are implementing major development projects, the minister was quoted as saying.
The ministerial meeting agreed on job classifications and the unified GCC employment guide which has been developed and revised. The guide will be used on an experimental basis throughout next year, said Humaidan.
The guide includes all professions in the GCC and their classification and description in line with international standards. It deals with citizens as well as expatriates. The Peninsula
