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This was back in 2003. I was talking about Saudization when most working on it now had no idea about what it is..

I saw this day coming…back then.

Huroob: Victims

I have forwarded at least 30 cases of HUROOB ( Runaway from Sponsor) to our legal department so far.

A guy BUYS a visa in INDIA. Comes here. Reports to his sponsor. His sponsor tells him to wait for a week. Within a weeks time he places the HUROOB charge on him. Never gives him the Iqama. And then, tells the guy that he can go around work until he gets caught and deported. And, this is exactly what happens.

!!!

How can this be countered?

Let me tell you that the reason why that sponsor did what he did is because after he reported HUROOB, he was able to get more visas. Visas, I am sure, he sold.

There are countless cases like this. The ones that suffer in the end are poor labor.

Now, the above mentioned Indian guy has been trying to return and it is difficult that he can. His brother spent 30,000 paying various persons in trying to have his Huroob removed. I advised him to stop doing that and move on with life now. But, they insist on him coming back.

The only thing we can do is appoint a WAKEEL for him and this person will then make the necessary complaints, inform, report and request until this case is resolved.

I urge you all:

Do not pay anyone randomly to Remove Huroob!

Make sure you make a WAKALA in the name of the person ( must be Saudi) , handling your case. No government office will talk to a person who is not OFFICIALLY representing you.

The Fee you pay is to the WAKEEL for his efforts. It is NOT A bribe.  He is hired by you and working for you on YOUR case.

If, God Forbid, nothing happens and your condition is not fixed, you do not have the right to request your money back because you HIRED and PAID someone who worked. Fee should not exceed 3-5000.

So, the risk element cannot be removed.

It is a wrong notion to think that you will pay an employee of the government and he will do anything you like. This cannot happen. And, it is ALSO a crime to bribe or to encourage it. A lot also depends on your record and the record of your previous sponsor. If that person has an IQAF ( Restricted access) due to a criminal record or accounts payable, the government will NOT serve him.

Finally, KNOW the rules of Saudi Arabia before coming. There is NO such thing as a “FREE” visa. You are either INVESTING or WORKING in Saudi Arabia under a contract for a specific person or entity or you are violating the law.

However, I do WISH and PRAY that some law is created to protect people from every where against falling victim to this practice of selling visa, claiming Huroob and getting a totally innocent person black listed in the GCC.

Good luck..

 

ASCS overseas work Training Program

I want to launch this in India and Pakistan especially. Why?

Most workers coming from other countries are already well-groomed about where they are headed. Indians and Pakistanis just seem to get a visa and come and learn as they go. That is not right. It is not fair to them nor is it to the country they are going to. They need to be aware of the Ground realities of that country. Be introduced to the language and cultures, and the norms.

This is why we are creating the ASCS OVERSEAS WORKERS TRAINING PROGRAM. We hope to launch these ONLINE and otherwise in India and Pakistan. I am still open to agents in these countries to deliver the course properly and ensure people know where they are going and for what purpose. ASCS also seeks to give benefit to employers here by providing the RIGHT people through the authorized recruiting agencies in KSA.

Please note: ASCS IS NOT A RECRUITING COMPANY. IT IS A CONSULTING FIRM. IT SHALL PLACE YOU ONLY THROUGH LICENSED RECRUITMENT COMPANIES IN KSA..

Other than SAGIA?

 

There is a  notion amongst global investors that the only way they can operate here is through SAGIA. SAGIA is excellent for scientific offices managing huge sales through local agents. It works well for giants. However, the giants are not the ones that really truly contribute to people. SME’s from other countries can also operate here. And, the way to do it is through AGENTS. Appoint local agents. They will act as your partner. AND, you can make agreements in your COUNTRY and secure yourself and your investments. It is very logical and many people do it.

However, there is a big issue with this too.

I, being owner of my company, appoint an agent in KSA. This is my exclusive agent and promotes my services. But, for some reason, I would like to be placed in KSA. Just to keep checks or make deals. What will be my status? I am not an employee of my agent. I am his partner from another country. What status does Saudi Immigration offer me? Why should it be based on investment? What if the investor is my partner? He is more secure with me here overlooking our functions? Is not his investment as important as mine?

These and many such questions still hinder people from bringing solutions to KSA. And, that leaves just the giants and not many others. Don’t you think that has a negative affect on the business environment?

I feel if locals are benefitting from a small business owner being here and sharing his experience and enhancing locals, a business residence permit SHOULD be given. Based on statements by his appointed agents and partners. This will secure both the local and the foreign business person. SAGIA can be for that independent investor or company that will pump in huge amounts and seek to be totally independent of locals for a their own reasons. But, the majority of global investors are not that.

OR,

Another idea could be that SAGIA makes its umbrella BIGGER and accommodates SME’s. But, with the LABOR LAW conditions of Saudization. Just wondering. I even talked about it in a radio show I did few months ago and most people local and foreign tend to agree with it.

I hope this does happen.

🙂

And that makes YOU.. UNETHICAL!

I usually share my ideas with people openly. I discuss my ideas and I am open to criticism of all kinds. It helps me to polish my idea further. I do not fear losses and I do not chase gains. I have a belief about that.. Allah gives to genuine and ethical people.

Sadly, our society is full of termites. Termites are those that have not grown to be Creative enough to come up with genuine ideas of their own. So, they either copy someone else’s ideas or feed on someone that builds a company. These are unethical people, we also call them termites.

Being ambitious is good. Being unethical and ambitious is BAD.

So, whenever I allow someone to be close enough to share an idea with, I am testing them also. I test them for their skills, their mind, their analysis and their vision. And, above all their character. I know people that pray my idea is a success and that is that. I know people that find many faults with my ideas, that is ok. I know people that get pretty cheesed off with some of my ideas, that is fine too. I know people that INVEST in my ideas, they are partners. Investment is not only financial investment, it is also the investment of their time, loyalty and skills which they use to help me IMPLEMENT my idea. I know people that immediately offer support services at a cost, which is ok too. I may or may not use their services. It is totally up to me and my partners.

Why do I do this? Because projects are executed by TEAMS, not by a person. I create my teams like this. In my office today, you will find a team of people with amazing mutual trust and respect.

Then, I meet people who actually try to USE my idea and a create a business of their own. These are unethical people. People who lose my respect for good. And, they are seldom successful too.

I met a guy who wanted ME to invest hundreds of thousands of riyals in building an office services center and he would be the managing partner. What did he do? He worked as an accounts manager at a similar setup! All was good until he emailed me the balance sheet of that company and their company registration. He also said : I am sending you classified information of this company in return for 50% shareholding in the setup you will create.

FAILED!

I dropped the idea at once. I HAD thought of it.. but someone thought of it before me and executed it. Even if they did not, I would not proceed without their permission. That is my respect for people.

I called the company he was at, talked to the owner and told him his documents were sent to me and that I deleted them and I also told him who sent it. I DO NOT BUILD OVER OTHER PEOPLE, I BUILD WITH THEM.

To listen in to an idea, and then to try and steal it is the work of losers even if they make millions.

I cannot respect such people at all. What happens to them eventually is always a… Tragedy.

…

Expatriate Call Center by DAJ/VRS/ASCS

 

We have setup our call center facility and Admin office consisting of a number of experienced Wakeels and Trained Expatriates. Expediters and Local staff have been hired and are busy resolving cases. Soon, I will announce the Hotline number where you will be able to get service in at least 3 languages initially. Urdu/Hindi, English and hopefully Tagalog. The expatriate will need to subscribe at a minimum fee and we are also open to contributions by expatriates for maintenance of this center.

This call center will work around the clock to serve you. We will handle ANY query, any complaint and any issue an expatriate may face at any time , any where in KSA our even outside KSA , if coming here or returning from here. No need to log on to anything. Just call.

This center will act as a translator and a strong forwarder of issues to the concerned authorities ensuring immediate action for the expatriate.

Why am I creating this?

This started 8 years ago. In fact most of my work started in 2003 for KSA. I had predicted the current actions by MOL and had warned businesses over and over again that things WILL be getting out of hand soon and the Government will then need to act. Go back and see my articles and blogs. You will find all this.

There has always been a huge gap between the officer of the Government and the Expatriate labor and this may lead to misinformation and misunderstandings for both parties. The gap is that of LANGUAGE.

This Service will be provided through DAR AL JANAIN , the exclusive agent and Partner of ASCS and VRS in KSA.

The minute this is filled, a lot of anxiety will end.

Lets hope I can serve KSA and the people that live here.

HR: Compliance to labor law..

I don’t know why companies refuse to follow the correct employment procedure and comply with the labor office requirements?

After ample warnings, the government has taken action and many businesses are now closing down.

Was it worth it?

Since 2003, I have been talking about providing an HR solution that would cover Saudization and put a company on what we now call the ‘Green’ category! And, in my interactions with various decision makers of companies, I have noticed one thing: they would rather abuse the system instead of complying, hiring a solution provider and investing in this area!

It was good while it lasted, but now government has taken action. And guess who has suffered the most? The employee!

A company that cannot safeguard its staff and their interest should be shut down for sure. It is actually causing harm to people!

Often, expatriates blame the labor office or jawazat for the various issues they face..but..the reality is that their employer is not compliant or sincere! Most would rather hire illegaly and pay less and when there is a check they abandon the employee. Is that right?

Trust me, if a company says they do not want to hire Saudis..they are saying this to save money. A company..and all businesses are supposed to train, build lives and create a positive culture in compliance with regulation. I have done it and am doing it..why can’t everyone else with bigger budgets and more power do it?

If the mission is to simply abuse the system, make as much money as possible at the cost of people’s rights and dignities, then I really cannot give much respect here.

It is not too late!

Call me today and be Green and prosperous and gain Saudi respect…

Licenses, Permits and JOBS..

Unemployment. A problem. For everyone.

The unemployed eventually do burden the employed. And, this “burdening” is on the rise. Defaulters. Con artists. Crimes. All rising.Why are so many men and women lost today? Consider the work environment. It is pretty pathetic. Limited choice. Limited works and limited vision. This is what is causing this destruction.

Flexibility in business setup processes is the key to nurturing small to medium-sized companies. Flexibility in regulation is the key to variety of services. And, a positive approach is the way to growth.

Is this how it is here? No.

Let me give one example. When it comes to money transfers, services are provided by various banks and companies. Now, the way to become an AGENT for a Money Transfer service is SO hard, so painful and so costly, that even most LARGE business groups are not  thinking about applying for a license. This is not the case in any other country. Why here? Suppose getting a money exchange license was easy. Imagine how many people would have it and imagine how many outlets there would be and imagine how many people would have JOBS! The “setup” process is where government should step in and ensure that there will be compliance. Establish penalties and codes.

Why is it not so difficult to get in other countries? Are they not concerned about compliance? They are and they are compliant. In fact, I can guess and assume , rightly so, that the largest amounts of undeclared money are transferred from here simply due to the large expatriate populations!

Compliance is not a huge big deal anymore. Monitors CAN be and ARE setup and discrepancy can be spotted and action CAN be taken. So, when security and monitor is good today, why is activity restricted?

I think this is a VERY good question and it deserves an answer!

Same applies to any legal activity we call business. Making it easy for locals and expatriates to create and run a variety of businesses will get people employment and enhance society in amazing ways. Why restrict it in any way at all? It is not all about who came and did not leave. It is about who came and added what to a growing economy and country. I think Saudi Arabia is standing in that place now where the path ahead is amazing only if it becomes a little flexible.

Monopoly is good. But, not at the cost of the people.

Independent Women

 

Becoming RICH is not the goal of life. Being as independent as possible IS. This is the reason why people work. To be independent.

The Labor Office gives you the credit of hiring 2 Saudi males if you hire a single Saudi female. Why? Women are looking for work. The expenses of life are so huge that one person cannot manage them. So, both need to work. Also, there are hundreds of thousands of graduates, single women and housewives that are seeking work.

Whether someone has a skill they would like to promote, or a talent they would like to use OR simply need guidance on how to be independent, I am opening my doors to female professionals and non professionals. At a minimal, affordable fee, ASCS consultants will set women up either at work places or in their own homes with small home based businesses or services that will give them the financial independence or privilege they need.

I don’t want to call it a “RECRUITING” agency or “EMPLOYMENT” agency. Because, there are plenty of those.

Since we are strategists, we will give the individual the STRATEGY to be on their own, and we will make sure that they get there. A whole process of assessment of talent, skill , the market and the potential will lead us to role definition and then the scenario in which this role can be played for benefit will be established.

Yes, everyone can do something to be independent!

Interested?

Email me at : ali.shah@ascsglobal.com

Explore KSA – India, Pakistan, Phillipines…everywhere

 

People buy visas to come to KSA. People sell their properties, gold and possessions to generate enough money to buy a visa and come to KSA.. mostly ILLEGALLY!

Illegal how?

A Saudi company or person must sponsor you and arrange for you a work visa to come here and work for THEM. What happens is that a corrupt citizen gets a commercial registration and registers a project that requires manpower AND gets visas. He then sells these visas in Asian countries through an agent network. Each visa can get him up to SAR 12-15000. Now, an asian buys this visa. Comes to KSA. And, basically starts searching for work. If lucky, he finds work and then transfers his Residency to his new employer. This process is not easy. The initial sponsor can blacklist this new entry to get MORE visas, the expatriate may not find a job, he may not be able to TRANSFER his sponsorship.. in fact, a number of things can happen to this person who bought a visa to come here.

I get several mails and calls daily from people who face issues in Saudi Arabia.

But, this will not stop. Some corrupt people will keep selling visas and many desperate or even curious people will keep buying them. I have no clue how this business can end. But, what I can do is give the “buyer” other options.

And the option I am giving is called the “Explore KSA program”.

Why buy a visa? Why even apply for work? Why spend so much? Why not come and explore KSA for 3 months? We send you a business visa, you come here.. we provide accommodation, we guide you and we let you experience the actual work environment in KSA so that you can decide without losing anything whether you would like to stay here or go back. Of course, you may get an offer WHILE you are here and be placed. Or, you may decide to invest in KSA through SAGIA or other means. This is an opportunity. A preview of KSA.

Nice?

Go to http://www.ascsglobal.com and see details..:)