A decision by Saudi Arabia’s government to reduce the stay of expatriate workers to six years has spread fears that other GCC countries could follow suit, according to newsite Emirates 24-7.

The site reports that fears have been triggered among foreigners residing in the region that the move could also be enforced by other Gulf oil producers in line with a proposal discussed at the GCC Summit in 2008.

The new measures, to be enforced in June, compels Saudi Arabia’s private sector firms to recruit Saudis and providing incentives to companies which abide by the new rules. The programme also limits the stay of foreign workers, mainly unskilled, to six years while it will also ban new visas for non-compliant companies.