Recent years have witnessed a significant shift in Saudi Arabia’s approach to its blue-collar job market. Recognising past vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers, the Kingdom has undertaken comprehensive reforms, updating several previously debated laws. These changes aim to cultivate a more secure, safe, and work-friendly environment for its substantial foreign workforce, marking a new era in migrant labour policies within Saudi Arabia.
In this comprehensive blog post, we will explore various susceptible laws that have been reformed to create a better working environment in Saudi Arabia. Also, we will explore how Takamol plays a crucial role in safeguarding the interests of the foreign labour force.
It is estimated that over 7.5 million foreign workers are currently working in different trades and industries, playing a significant role in building and thriving the economy of Saudi Arabia. This economically crucial workforce is often recruited from South Asia and other parts of Asia. These blue-collar workers often handle significant labour requirements in construction, agriculture, manufacturing, and other domestic services, allowing Saudi Arabia’s GDP to grow and sustain.
However, despite the key role played by migrant labour in Saudi Arabia’s GDP, they often face ample challenges, including exploitative conditions, a lack of legal protection, and difficulties accessing labour rights. And that’s where Takamol comes in!
Takamol Saudi Arabia, officially known as Takamol Holding, is responsible for managing Saudi Arabia’s Professional Accreditation Program (PAP). The PAP, also known as the Skill Verification Program (SVP), is popular among migrant labourers as it requires them to attend the rigorous skill verification process to verify the skills of workers before applying for a Saudi Arabia work permit visa.
To facilitate the entry of migrant workers into Saudi Arabia, several digital platforms and initiatives have been launched by Takamol, aiming to develop and improve the overseas workforce and support businesses. These platforms are Qiwa, Ajeer, Musaned, Forsah, and Kanaf, offering services to develop the labour market, recruit a talented workforce, connect businesses with skilled labour opportunities, and introduce various accelerator programs to accelerate businesses and employability.
By developing innovative platforms and partnerships, Takamol has streamlined recruitment, improved workforce planning, and ensured better job matching. It also emphasises compliance with labour laws, helping to reduce violations and promote ethical employment standards.
In recent years, Saudi migrant workers’ policies have been reformed to align with international labour standards and enhance all employees’ working conditions and job security. The Saudi Council of Ministers has approved major reforms in labour law, effective from February 2025, to increase job-switching and resignation flexibility, enhance leave policies, and address wage theft, among other changes.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also announced changes in its Kafala system. The reforms effectively address the susceptible issues, such as job mobility, exit permits, forced labour issues, delayed wages, and passport seizures.
Takamol collaborates with government authorities to promote transparency, streamline inspections, and facilitate reporting, thereby enhancing accountability and protecting workers’ rights across various sectors in Saudi Arabia.
Migrant labourers have been offered several legal protections under Saudi labour laws. These Saudi migrant worker policies protect foreign workers’ ethical and moral rights. In addition, these dedicated laws are made to eliminate discrimination, forced working hours, delayed wages, and unclear leave policies. The law protects against discrimination that happens based on race, gender, nationality, religion, or disability, ensuring equal opportunity for all, whether they are domestic or overseas workers.
Takamol helps ensure workers get fair pay, proper working hours, and quick help with problems. It uses online tools to check if employers follow the rules and offer easy ways for workers to report issues. It also works with the government to solve disputes and protect workers’ rights.
Takamol, or the Professional Accreditation Program (PAP), is a mandatory skill verification process for migrant workers. It offers various training and upskilling programs for overseas workers to polish their skills and make them competent for job opportunities in Saudi Arabia.
The Takamol Skill Verification Program (SVP) aims to improve the quality and efficiency of overseas workers by certifying them through a rigorous skill verification process. It helps them be highly competent in their skill, ensuring higher job security, better salary, and high career growth. In addition, it ensures that only a competent workforce is migrated to Saudi Arabia, ensuring reduced exploitation, enhanced ethical entitlements, and forced labour safety. Other benefits of becoming a Takamol-certified worker are enhanced job opportunities, higher earning potential, easier hiring, and smoother visa processing.
Takamol Certification is a mandatory process for seekers dreaming of getting a reputed and secure job position in Saudi Arabia. It ensures the seeker is competent enough to enter the Saudi Arabian competitive job market. However, Takamol is not directly involved in the migrant worker policies; instead, it ensures that hired blue-collar professionals are competent enough to thrive and grow. Apart from that, Takamol coordinates with government authorities to ensure the safety of overseas labourers.
If you plan to work in a promising job market in Saudi Arabia, it is better to polish your skills and get certified by Takamol to land your dream job intuitively. To get certified, enroll in the Takamol Skill Verification Program in India, operated by India’s premier trade training centre, Houston Testing, and Skill Upgradation Academy. We are sought after for our unrivaled partnership with NSDC, Takamol, and Skill India. Get in touch with us now and fulfill your dream of getting a well-paying job in Saudi Arabia!