Saudi Labour Law - Brief

Tuesday, 25, September, 2007 (13, Ramadhan, 1428)


Kingdom’s Labor Law Protects Workers’ Rights: MinistryP.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News

JEDDAH, 25 September 2007 — The Kingdom’s Labor Law protects the rights of Saudi and expatriate workers and ensures balanced relations between employers and employees, the Labor Ministry said yesterday quoting excerpts from the law.
“The new law with 245 articles and 16 chapters is an achievement for workers. It increases annual leave from 15 to 21 days and to 30 days for those who have completed five years of service,” the ministry said.
The law considers amounts due to the worker or his heirs as “first rate privileged debts,” adding that the worker and his heirs shall, for the purpose of settling them, be entitled to a privilege over all the employer’s properties. In the case of bankruptcy of the employer or liquidation of his firm, the aforementioned amounts shall be entered as privileged debts and the worker is paid an expedited amount equivalent to one month wage prior to payment of any other expenses including judicial, bankruptcy or liquidation expenses, the law said. The new law, which was passed by the Cabinet on Sept. 26, 2005, urges employers to pay end-of-service award of a half-month wage for each of the first five years and a one-month wage for each of the following years.
“The end-of-service award shall be calculated on the basis of the last wage and the worker shall be entitled to an end-of-service award for the portions of the year in proportion to the time spent on the job,” it explains.
If a worker resigns his job, he will be entitled to one third of the award after a service of not less than two consecutive years and not more than five years. It will be increased to two thirds if his service is in excess of five successive years but less than ten years, and to the full award if his service amounts to ten or more years.
A worker shall be entitled to the full award if he leaves the work due to reasons beyond his control. A female worker shall likewise be entitled to the full award if she ends her contract within six months from the date of her marriage or three months from the date of giving birth.
“Upon the end of the worker’s service, the employer has to pay his wages and settle his entitlements within a maximum period of one week from the date of the end of the contractual relation. If the worker ends the contract, the employer shall settle all his entitlements within a period not exceeding two weeks.”
If a worker is detained or taken into custody by the competent authorities in cases related to work or occasioned by it, the employer shall continue to pay the worker 50 percent of the wage until the case is decided, provided that the period of detention or custody shall not exceed 180 days. If said period exceeds that, the employer shall not be required to pay any portion of the wage for the excess period, the law said.
If the worker is acquitted or the investigation is closed for lack of evidence or invalidity thereof, the employer shall return to the worker the amount previously deducted from his wage. However, if he is convicted, none of the payments made shall be recovered unless the judgment provides otherwise, the law said.
According to the law, a worker may not actually work for more than eight hours a day if the employer uses the daily work criterion, or more than forty-eight hours a week if he uses the weekly criterion. During the month of Ramadan, the actual working hours for Muslims shall be reduced to a maximum of six hours a day or thirty-six hours a week.
The number of working hours may be raised to nine hours a day for certain categories of workers or in certain industries and jobs where the worker does not work continuously. It may be reduced to seven hours a day for certain categories of workers or in certain hazardous or harmful industries or jobs.
“In firms where work is done in shifts, an employer may, with the ministry’s approval, increase the number of working hours to more than eight hours a day or forty-eight hours a week, provided that the average working hours in three weeks time shall not be more or less than eight hours a day or 48 hours a week,” the law said.
The law clearly states that the employer will pay the fees pertaining to recruitment of non-Saudi workers, the fees of the residence permit (iqama) and work permit together with their renewal and the fines resulting from their delay, as well as the fees pertaining to change of profession, exit and re-entry visas and return tickets to the worker’s home country at the end of work contract.
According to the law, an employer shall refrain from using the worker without pay and shall not, without a judicial instrument, withhold the worker’s wages or any part thereof. “The employer shall treat his workers with due respect and refrain from any action or utterances that may infringe upon their dignity and religion,” it adds.
It also states that a worker may not be subjected to disciplinary penalty for an act committed outside the workplace unless such act is related to the job, the employer or the manager in-charge. A worker may not be fined for a single violation an amount in excess of a five-day wage, and no more than one penalty shall be applied for the same violation. No more than a five-day wage shall be deducted from his wages in one month in payment of fines, or his suspension from work without pay may not exceed five days a month, it added.
“A disciplinary action may not be imposed on a worker except after notifying him in writing of the allegations, interrogating him, hearing his defense and recording the same in minutes to be kept in his file. In minor violations the penalty for which does not go beyond a warning or a deduction of a one-day salary,” the law says.
The law provides every protection to women workers. “A female worker shall be entitled to a maternity leave for the four weeks immediately preceding the expected date of delivery and the subsequent six weeks. The probable date of delivery shall be determined by the physician of the firm or pursuant to a medical report certified by a health authority. A woman may not work during the six weeks immediately following delivery. During the maternity leave, an employer shall pay the female worker half her wage if she has been in his service for one year or more, and a full wage if she has served for three years or more as of the date of commencement of such leave,” the law says.
“When a female worker returns to work following a maternity leave, she shall be entitled, in addition to the rest periods granted to all workers, to a rest period or periods not exceeding in aggregate one hour a day for nursing her infant. An employer shall be responsible for the costs of medical test, treatment and delivery. An employer may not terminate the employment of a female worker or give her a warning of the same while on maternity leave. A female worker whose husband passes away shall be entitled to a fully paid leave for a minimum period of fifteen days as of the date of death,” the law says.

Courtesy : Arab News

Finance Minister in right direction!

NEW DELHI: Just as it's getting to the time when most politicians, especially ministers, would be planning media blitzkreig through ads in newspapers, magazines, hoardings and TV commercials, there's bad news from the Finance Ministry. Playing party pooper, the Finance Minister has sent out the message - elections or no elections - the government has no surplus money to waste and hence it is time for austerity. In order to meet the cash crunch, the Finance Ministry has for the first time, ordered putting brakes on expenditure on publicity. Ministries are now required to regulate advertisements and publicity campaigns, according to Times Now. Also under the axe are budgets for purchase of new vehicles, maintenance, new furnishings and furniture for government offices and residences. There is also a serious cut imposed on the number of conferences and seminars held by ministries. The FM has also put a cap on foreign travel by officials and goodwill trips by ministers barring the PM, President, Vice President and Lok Sabha Speaker. He has also slapped an across the board 5 per cent cut in Non-Plan expenditure or what is avoidable expense. This featured among the issues discussed in a meeting between Finance Ministry and financial advisers of all ministries earlier this week The meeting also set in motion what is called a pre-Budget exercise but the officials were also told to be prepared for a Vote-on-Account The Finance Ministry has ordered that ministries will only be given 33 per cent of budget allocations to spend in the last three months of the budget year January- March 2008. He has also ordered a complete freeze on money transfers to states until they finish money already given to them.
Courtesy : Economic Times of India

Really the way our FM thinks, if all the minister's in the cabinet think the value of spending Public money before spending! surely, our budget deficit will be reduced to Nil level. At the same, time we would like to bring to the attention of law makers that, they should frame a scheme in which the previous year's spending should be reveiwed currenty year by which avoidable expenses can be reduced in the coming years! ofcourse, this type of excercise are done in most of the corporate body! it is time to think the similar view for Governance too to have healthy & wealthy management of fund!

Mukesh Ambani group M-cap hits Rs 4 trillion

MUMBAI: Mukesh Ambani on Friday became India's first businessman to head a group with market capitalisation of more than Rs four trillion, following a sharp surge in the share prices of his group companies. The shares of his flagship company Reliance Industries as well as three other group firms -- Reliance Petroleum, IPCL and Reliance Industrial Infrastructure today soared by their all-time high levels with gains ranging from 4-12 per cent. Total investor wealth in the four companies surged to a total of Rs 4,01,800 crore, led by RIL's market value of Rs 3,16,940 crore. The sharp rally in the Mukesh Ambani group stocks further widened the gap with his younger brother Anil Ambani group's total market cap, which today stood at less than half the amount at Rs 1,90,700 crore. The shares of four Anil Ambani group firms -- Reliance Communications, Reliance Capital, Reliance Energy and Reliance Natural Resources Ltd -- also witnessed a sharp rally on Friday. Except for RCOM, all the three stocks reached their all-time high levels. RCOM's market cap rose to Rs 1,18,455 crore, while that of Reliance Capital stood at Rs 37,874 crore. RNRL and REL attained a market cap of about Rs 11,299 crore and Rs 23,072 crore, respectively. Based on the promoter holding in these companies, the net worth of Mukesh Ambani rose to Rs 1,94,871 crore, while that of Anil Ambani was Rs 1,12,509 crore.

TNTJ Office Bearer Thanked TN CM

Tamil Nadu Government recently promulgated a law to provide Separate reservation for Muslims & Christian in Governmnet employment & educational Institution in Tamilnadu. To thank Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thiru M. Karunanidhi, the office bearer of Tamil Nadu Thouheed Jamath President Mr. P.Jainul Abideen, Secretary Mr. S.M Baker, Joint Secretary Mr. Muneer & Mr. Syed Iqbal met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister in his residence @ 9.00 am and thanked him on behalf of Muslim Community for taking action to provide Separate reservation to Muslims & Christian from Backward class.

TNTJ President presented a letter to CM thanking for separate reservation in Tamil Nadu and also requesting to press central Government also to provide similar reservation in Central Government also. Further, TNTJ also assured CM that, coming Lok sabha election, TNTJ will support DMK led alliance only.

Education & Employment Guide

Dear Readers,

As part of our continued service to the community, now we have added some new features in our site providing Education & Employment Guidelines.

Those who wanted to know the best educational institution/Colleges/Technical Institution details are available including india's best universities with their site ID.

Further, for the benefit of job seekers, we have added one more feature in which the job seekers can visit to TNPSC as well as may know employment news.

we hope all the best and kindly request the readers to take full benefit of the available information. Last but not least, pass this information to your friends & relatives too.

How to apply for TN Govt Jobs

After a long strugle by Muslims for a separate reservation in Tamil Nadu, now the Government has promulgated an ordinance by which the policy of reservation came in to existence. Now, the prospective muslims candidates looking for a government job should do the following two steps:
1) First they have register their name with Employment Board in their respective District
2) Secondly, the should always visit TNPC site to know the any available vacancies in Government Job which recruites for government vacancies.

TNPSC is mandated with the task of recruiting persons for various services of the State Government of Tamil Nadu, including State, Subordinate and Ministerial Services. TNPSC has always strived to upgrade and improvise systems and procedures of selection in order that the best among applicants are selected to public service, while rigorously adhering to the policy of recruitment and reservation of the State Government.

Over 170 tests meant for Government servants as required under various service rules, including those of TNEB, TWAD & Chennai Metrowater, are conducted by TNPSC every six months. This is also a fairly large piece of work as about 60,000 personnel take the exams every May and 25,000 every December. Besides, these exams, TNPSC also conducts Half-Yearly tests for probationers of All India Services, i.e., IAS, IPS, IFS, State Civil Service, TN Police Service, TN Forest Service, etc. Notifications and Results of these tests are provided in this web-site

The main functions of the Commission are:
> Make direct recruitment to State, Subordinate and Ministerial services;
> Conduct department examinations for Government Servants and
> Advice Government on all matters relating to framing of recruitment rules;
> Advice Government on principles to be followed in making appointments and promotions and transfers from one service to another service;
> Advice Government on disciplinary matters affecting Government Servants;
> Conduct the examinations on behalf of Ministry of Defence, Government of India, for admission to Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehra Dun

to visit TNPSC click here http://www.tnpsc.gov.in

Best of Luck to job seekers.

TN Government Promulgated Law for Muslims Reservation

Assalamun Alaikum,

Dear Reader,

The Governor of Tamilnadu has promulgated an ordinance for providing separate reservation of 3.5% each to Muslims & Christian in Education & Employment in Tamilnadu.

To view the full text of ordinance, please clik the link http://www.tn.gov.in/acts-rules/law/Gazette-150907.pdf

TN Govt Issued Press Release for Muslims Reservation

Towards long standing demand for a sperate resevation in Jobs & Educational institution for Muslims, Tamilnadu Government headed by Mr. M. Karunanidhi has issued a press release to promulgate an ordinance which will come into effect from 15th Sept 2007 which is the 99th Birth anniversary of Anna the founder of DMK.


To view the press release # 579 issued by Tamilnadu Government , please visit here to see the press release http://www.tn.gov.in/pressrelease/pr130907/pr130907_579.pdf

We welcome the Government initiative to provide Separate reservation in Tamilnadu. At the same time, we would like to remind the ruling UPA in which DMK also a constituent party to speed up reservations for Muslims in Central Govt educational, Employment, Parliamnet as well assemblies too.

Welcome to TNTJ Site

Assalamun Alaikum (Varah)

Hope this message finds you in good health and high Islamic spiritual knowledge. I am happy to reach all of you via this message.

As we all know that, to-days most popular way to reach message is media which are in various types like print media, screen media, audio, video, web etc. in view of this, we thought quite for a long time to have a site in English inline with TNTJ spreading the work of TNTJ (Tamil Nadu Thouheed Jamath) and also a source of getting useful information. Towards fulfilling this objective, now we have launched a website called www.tntjservice.blogspot.com for this purpose.

At the same time, I would like to remind you all that, this site will not be a launching pad to attack individuals or organization without proper evidence or on imaginary basis. Providing full independence to readers, we authorize the readers to publish their comments straightway without any interference by administrator.

Towards the path of this object, we request all readers to contribute their valuable comments and also bring useful articles for publishing. This site is managed by Dammam Chapter of TNTJ.

Last but not least that, the views expressed in the articles are not necessary the views of TNTJ. And we request all the readers to pass this information to their colleagues & friends too.

Regards,
Administrator

Is it High Court Judges are Secular?

As per the constitution of India, India is a secular country which has freedom to practice and preach any religion as per the choice of the citizen. And at the same, protecting the interest of individual, the constitution has layed down that, a religion will not be imposed on others by force or action! if it is so, it is unfortunate that, the Judge of Allahbad High court has observed that, the religious book of Hindus "Gita" should be made as national dharma Shastra or religious doctrine of India? it is unfortunate that, the court being common to all and protecting the rights of citizens as per the constitution, Allahbad High court instead has created controversy by trying to voilate the constitution? please find below the text of news published in NDTV as follows:-

Controversy has erupted over an observation by the recommendation of a judge of the Allahabad High Court that the Bhagvad Gita be made the national dharma shastra or 'religious doctrine' of the country.Constitutional experts and religious heads are outraged, but the Union Law Minister has played down the controversy.HR Bhardwaj said it's just a stray observation and should be treated as such.Justice SN Srivastava, who made these observations, is the same judge who had this April ruled that Muslims were not a minority group in Uttar Pradesh and hence educational institutions run by them were not entitled to benefits.That order was however stayed by a division bench of the High Court.This time round, Justice Srivastava says since India has a national flag, an anthem, a bird and an animal, it can have the Gita as its dharma shastra.The judge said the Gita had inspired those involved in the freedom struggle and continues to inspire people from all walks of life.The judge's observations came on August 30 during a hearing relating to a dispute between two brothers over a temple in Varanasi. ''It is the duty of every citizen of India under Article 51-A of the Constitution of India, irrespective of caste, creed or religion, to follow dharma as propounded by the Gita,'' the judge had remarked.Article 51 A relates to the fundamental duties of every citizen of India, and includes a solemn promise to abide by the Constitution, the national flag and the anthem.

At this point of time, we would like to remind the concerned people that, being the judges of the court, it is primary duty of the judge to uphold the rights of common man as per constitution and protect the interest of constitution. Any person, who is trying to voilate should be punished according to the law of land? will the Law ministry take initiative to protect the rights of constitution! let us wait & see.

ATR report without Action ! UPA Double Game!!

The ruling party doesn’t have courage to implement Sachar committee Report even though the report has presented in detail the pathetic condition of Indian Muslims. And it is also unfortunate that, the ruling party is making big drama on this report to show the Muslims that, as if they have taken some actions on the report!
Tabling a statement on the “follow-up action” on the recommendations of the Sachar Committee Report on the “Social, Economic and Educational Status of the Muslim Community,” Minorities Affairs Minister A.R. Antulay said in the Lok Sabha that it was a “historic occasion and a historic statement.”
Mr. Antulay said guidelines had been issued to improve the share of the minorities in the government, public sector enterprises and banks. A high-level committee had been constituted to review the Delimitation Act regarding anomalies in the representation of Muslims.
Actually, the minister has reproduced the same report just wording “it will be implemented or will be actioned”! First of all, they must know that, Action Taken Report (ATR) mean, that, some actions has been already taken or there is a progress in the implementation!
Every time the ruling UPA constituents say the Prime Ministers 15 points on Minorities! Rather than repeating the same 15 points, let the UPA should come out clearly how much spend on each schemes on minorities as well as Muslims that alone will satisfy Muslims rather thinking that, just announcing scheme itself an achievement! The real achievement lays only on the implementation only!
It is time to remind the ruling UPA constituent parties that, the Muslims will not forget easily the double talk of ruling Governments. Let us remind them that, Muslims will not be happy just submitting the same report in various versions rather, they expect some serious action on the implementation. Future of the ruling UPA’s relation with Muslims depends mainly on the ATR of sachar Report. Last but not least, we would like to remind the ruling UPA constituents that, Muslims will not forgive if they breach their promise!
Will the ruling UPA constituents will pressure on the leading congress party to implement the election manifesto! Let us wait & watch….

Another Milestone of TNTJ

Assalamun Alaikum (Varah),

By the grace of almighty Allah, to-day TNTJ has reached another Milestone beyond the border of India also. Riyadh Branch of TNTJ volunteers organised a Blood donation camp jointly with King Fahad Hospital, in which more than 100 of volunteers donated blood which includes womens and people of other state also. The chief Laboratory officer of King Fahad Hospital commanded the active service of TNTJ volunteers and he was surprised to see such a large number of Donors in a single session.

Merit-cum-Means Scholarship Scheme for Minority Communities Students


Objective:
The objective of the Scheme is to provide financial assistance to the poor and meritorious students belonging to minority communities to enable them to pursue professional and technical courses.

Scope:These scholarships are available for studies in India only and will be awarded through an Agency designated by the State Government/UT Administration for this purpose.
Number of scholarship:Every year 20000 scholarships will be distributed among the students of minority communities throughout the country. Based on the state-wise population of these communities.
Conditions for Scholarship:

i) Financial assistance will be given to pursue degree and/or post graduate level technical and professional courses from a recognized institution. Maintenance allowance will be credited to the student ' s account. The course fee will be paid by the State Department directly to the institute concerned.

ii) Students who get admission to a college to pursue technical/professio nal courses, on the basis of a competitive examination will be eligible for the scholarship.

iii) Students who get admission in technical/professio nal courses without facing any competitive examination will also be eligible for scholarship. However, such students should have not less than 50% marks at higher secondary/graduatio n level. Selection of these students will be done strictly on merit basis.

iv) Continuation of the scholarship in subsequent years will depend on successful completion of the course during the preceding year.
v) A scholarship holder under this scheme will not avail any other scholarship/ stipend for pursuing the course.

vi) The annual income of the beneficiary/ parent or guardian of beneficiary should not exceed Rs.2.50 lakh from all sources.
vii) The state department will advertise the scheme every year latest by 31st March and receive the application through the concerned institutions.

viii) After scrutinizing the applications, the state department will prepare a consolidated budget for all eligible students and send an application in the prescribed pro-forma for release of fund from the Ministry of Minority Affairs for distribution of scholarship giving the details of each students viz. name, permanent address, telephone number, annual course fee, name & address of institute, whether hostler or day-scholar, etc.

ix) The application for release of fund from the state department must be received in the Ministry by 30th of September every year.
x) The state department will maintain separate bank account and records relating to the funds received from the Ministry and they will be subjected to inspection by the officers of the Ministry or any other agency designated by the Ministry.
xi) The fund for distribution of scholarship in subsequent year will be released after receiving the utilization certificate for the previous year. Annual inspection by the officers of the Ministry or any other agencies designated by the Ministry will also be carried out.

xii) 30% scholarship will be reserved for girls of each minority community in a state which is transferable to male student of that community in case of non-availability of female candidate in that community in the concerned state.
xiii) If the target for distribution of scholarship to a particular minority community in a state/UT is not fulfilled, it will be distributed among the same minority community of other States/UTs strictly in accordance with the merit.

xiv) A student residing in a particular State/UT will be entitled for scholarship under the quota of that State/UT only irrespective of his place of study.
xv) The number of scholarship has been fixed state-wise on the basis of minority population of the states/UTs. Within the state-wise allocations, the applications from reputed institutions will be exhausted first. The list of such institutions will be made available by the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

xvi) The scheme will be evaluated at regular intervals and the cost of the evaluation will be borne by the Ministry of Minority Affairs under the provision of the scheme. An additional provision of 3% of the total budget will be made to meet the administrative and allied costs viz. expenditure on monitoring of the scheme, impact study, evaluation study, purchase of office equipments, engaging of contract employees, if necessary and other expenditure to run the cell etc. This will be shared between the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India and the State Governments/ UT Administration.

Rate of Scholarship:

Type of Financial Assistance : -
Rate for hostler : Rs.10,000/-per annum ( Rs.1000 p.m.)
Rate for Day Scholar : Rs.5,000/- per annum. ( Rs.500 p.m.)

Maintenance Allowance (For 10 months only)

Course Fee*
Rs.20,000/- per annum or Actual whichever is less

* Full course fee will be reimbursed for eligible institutions listed at Annexure-III

Payment:
i) Maintenance allowance is payable from 1st April or from the month of admission, whichever is later, to the month in which the examinations are completed, (including maintenance allowance during holidays) maximum twice a year, provided that if the scholar secures admission after the 20th day of a month, the amount will be paid from the month following the month of admission.
ii) In case of renewal of scholarships awarded in the previous years, maintenance allowance will be paid from the month following the month upto which scholarship was paid in the previous year, if the course of study is continuous.
iii) The Government of the State/Union Territory Administration, to which they belong, in accordance with the procedure laid down by them in this regard, will pay the scholarship money to the selected students.
iv) Scholarship will not be paid for the period of internship/houseman ship in the M.B.B.S. course or for a practical training in other course if the student is in receipt of some remuneration during the internship period or some allowance/stipend during the practical training in other course.
Other Conditions for the Award:
i) The scholarship is dependent on the satisfactory progress and conduct of the scholar. If it is reported by the Head of the Institution at any time that a scholar has by reasons of his/her own act of default failed to make satisfactory progress or has been guilty of misconduct such as resorting to or participating in strikes, irregularity in attendance without the permission of the authorities concerned etc., the authority sanctioning the scholarship may either cancel the scholarship or stop or withhold further payment for such period as it may think fit.
ii) If a student is found to have obtained a scholarship by false statement, his/her scholarship will be cancelled forthwith and the amount of the scholarship paid will be recovered, at the discretion of the concerned State Government. The student concerned will be blacklisted and debarred for scholarship in any scheme forever.
iii) A scholarship awarded may be cancelled if the scholar changes the subject of the course of study for which the scholarship was originally awarded or changes the Institution of study, without prior approval of the State Government. The Head of the Institution shall report such cases to them and stop payment of the scholarship money. The amount already paid may also be recovered at the discretion of the State Government.
iv) A scholar is liable to refund the scholarship amount at the discretion of the State Government, if during the course of the year, the studies for which the scholarship has been awarded, is discontinued by him/her.
v) The regulations can be changed at anytime at the discretion of the Government of India.

Procedure for Applying
i) An application for scholarship should comprise:
a) One copy of the application for scholarship in the prescribed form (separate application forms prescribed for ' fresh ' and renewal of scholarship by the concerned States/UTs).
b) One copy of the passport size photograph with signatures of the student thereon (for fresh scholarship) .
c) One attested copy of certificates, diploma, degree etc. in respect of all examinations passed.
d) An income declaration by the self-employed parents/guardians, stating definite income from all sources by way of an affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper. Employed parents/guardians are required to obtain income certificate from their employer and for any additional income from other sources, they would furnish declaration by way of an affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper.
e) Proof of permanent residence.
f) A receipt in acknowledgement of the scholarship in the previous year on the form attached to the application duly counter-signed by the Head of the Institution concerned, if the application was in receipt of a scholarship under this scheme in the preceding year.
g) The State department should satisfy itself that the student belongs to a particular minority community.

ii) Application complete in all respects shall be submitted to the Head of the Institution, being attended or last attended by the candidates and shall be addressed to an officer specified for this purpose by the Government of State/ Union Territory to which the student belongs, in accordance with the instructions issued by them from time to time.
Funding Pattern of the Scheme:
The Scheme will be implemented by the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, which receive 100% central assistance from Government of India for the total expenditure under the scheme.