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The Qiwa platform in Saudi Arabia has rolled out new updates to its employment contract system, introducing significant changes to how employers can report workers as “absent from work.”
Under the updated rules, employers can only submit an absence report if the worker’s residency permit (Iqama) is valid for at least 60 days and the worker has no active employment contract at the time of submission, a Saudi Gazette report said.
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Once a worker’s status changes to “disconnected from work,” they are given a 60-day grace period to take one of three actions: transfer to another employer, leave Saudi Arabia, or re-sign with the same employer. If no action is taken within this period, the worker will automatically be marked as “absent from work” and removed from the company’s records.
Terminations and notifications to authorities
The system also clarifies that if a work contract ends—whether by the employer’s or the worker’s decision—it will be recorded as “terminated” after the notice period concludes. Should the worker fail to act within the allowed grace period, an automatic notification will be sent to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) and the Ministry of Interior.
These updates aim to streamline the labor exit and transfer process, ensuring transparency and accountability in employer-employee relationships.
Digital certificates now available for workers
Qiwa has also introduced digital services that allow workers to obtain free employment-related certificates through their “Qiwa Individuals” account. Currently employed users can generate salary certificates with up-to-date job details. Former employees may request a service certificate summarizing their previous work history.
To access the service, users must log into their Qiwa Individuals account, navigate to “Employment Certificates,” and follow the instructions.
The platform says these tools are designed to boost job competitiveness through verified documentation of experience.
