Gov’t reiterates ban on job change of blue card holders

The SAR government has restated that it regulates the job changes of non-resident workers in accordance with the law.

According to the current “Law on the Employment of Non-resident Workers”, non-resident workers can only work for the employer and do the work associated with the position specified on the Non-resident Worker’s Identification Card, colloquially known as a blue card. 

In the statement, the government reiterates that if a non-resident worker resigns at his or her own instigation without negotiating with the employer, or is terminated with just cause by their employer before the expiry of the labor contract, the Authorization to Stay as Worker granted to the non-resident worker will be revoked or invalidated. 

In addition, the so-called “big employment ban” will restrict the job change of the non-resident worker, meaning that he or she will not be granted a new Authorization to Stay within six months.

The Times is aware that many migrant workers have changed jobs during the pandemic, making use of the “Covid-19 visa” being given to the “stranded workers,” as there are still no regular flights. 

Some employees who have been banned from acquiring work for six months have managed to remain in the region due to the visa given to them while they look for new potential employers. 

The Times is also aware of several cases where former domestic helpers have opted to seek employment at cleaning companies when their contracts ended.

Meanwhile, if the Authorization to Stay as Worker is terminated before the expiry of the labor contract for the following four reasons: the employment authorization granted to the employer is revoked, the employer and the employee agree to terminate the employment, the employer terminates the labor contract unilaterally or without just cause, the employee terminates the labor contract with just cause, the so-called “small employment ban” will restrict the job change of the non-resident worker. 

This means that he or she will be granted a new Authorization to Stay as Worker only when his or her new job within six months is the same as the occupation approved in the most recent employment authorization. LV