In a bid to create more jobs for its nationals, Saudi Arabia has passed a new law banning the employment of non-Saudis as security guards at private companies and organisations.
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According to the new law, foreign nationals including many Indians currently employed as guards must be replaced by Saudi citizens within 90 days of the law coming into effect.
The law was approved by the Council of Ministers on Monday but it was not specified when it would come into force.
The legislation is part of the Saudi government's efforts to create more job opportunities for Saudis, English daily Arab News reported on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Labour Minister Ghazi Al-Gosaibi has said that the validity of labour visas had been restricted to one year as before, and would not be renewed or extended.
The decision was taken after considering the negative effects of providing two-year validity for such visas, the daily quoted Al-Gosaibi as saying.
The two-year period allowed those involved in illicit visa transactions enough time to continue their activities while denying Saudi nationals new job opportunities, he added.
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