With the new labour law all set to come into force next month, people are expecting a lot of changes to happen to the way they work in the country.

Under new rules, newly-arrived expatriates will be given a 30-day period to process their residence permit in the country, reported the Gulf Times. Earlier, the period had been just seven days.

This was disclosed by Search and Follow up Department Director Brigadier Abdulla Jabir Al Libdah.

The new law will make it possible for an expatriate worker to transfer to another employer before the end of his/her work contract, subject to approval from the original employer, the departments concerned and the Ministry of Administrative Development and Labour and Social Affairs (MADLSA).

Besides, expatriate workers may transfer to other employers as soon as the contract period expires or after completing five years in case of open-ended contracts, upon obtaining the approval of MADLSA.

In case of a dispute between the expatriate worker and employer or recruiter, it is possible to grant the worker temporary transfer to another employer with the approval of MADLSA. For expatriate workers who are not covered by the law, the transfer can be granted when it is proven that the employer has abused his rights.