The Ministry of Labor has ruled out an extension of the amnesty
period and warned illegal workers and Saudi employers that countrywide raids
would start on Nov. 4.
Hattab Al-Enezi, the ministry’s spokesman, rejected on Thursday
reports carried by some channels and websites that the Saudi government would
grant illegal workers more time. He said the reports were “misleading and
false.”
“Reports published on some social networking websites and channels
about the possibility of another extension for illegals to correct their
status, are not true. The amnesty deadline ends on Sunday and government
agencies will swing into action the following day,” said Al-Enezi in a
statement.
“The inspection of commercial premises will begin on Monday as
planned. Various arms of the ministry are ready for the inspections. The
government agencies, however, will not arrest those holding relevant documents
and waiting to legalize their status or be repatriated.”
The Foreign Ministry has forwarded appeals for an extension by
some countries to the Labor and Interior Ministries, a diplomatic source said.
Sibi George, charge d’affaires at the Indian Embassy, said: “The
ministry has assured us that it would not arrest illegals who have started the
process of legalization, or exit procedures, before Nov. 3.” He said the
ministry had warned it would not be lenient with offenders.
Illegal workers face two years in jail and fines of up to
SR100,000. Saudis will be punished for harboring illegal workers, including
those overstaying their Umrah and Haj visas. A task force has been established
to target pharmacies, barbershops, restaurants, security guards and drivers.
More than 4 million foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia have
rectified their labor and residency status during the amnesty period, while
around 1 million illegal workers have left the Kingdom. The seven-month grace
period has benefited nearly half of all overseas residents living in the
Kingdom, said George.
The original three-month deadline for the amnesty, announced by
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah in April, was extended from
July after it became evident that thousands of applications would not be
processed in time as authorities struggled to keep up with the demand.
“There are still many expatriates who have been unable to legalize
their status,” said Abdul Ghafar Dimalutang, vice president of the Overseas
Filipino Workers organization.
The fate of nearly half of the 1 million Syrians is uncertain.
Saudi Arabia is home to the world’s largest Syrian population. According to
local media, 40 percent of Syrians in the Kingdom have not legalized their
status but cannot return to Syria because of the conflict.
Hundreds of expatriates are still trying to sort out their
paperwork at Jeddah’s labor office. Many complained about the overcrowding and
lack of staff to deal with their applications.
Abdul Rahman Al-Faqih, a worker, said the application process was
complex and confusing: “I applied for a new passport and to correct the status
of our housemaid, but an employee asked me to bring additional documents,
despite the fact that the deadline is around the corner.”
Omar Balakhdar also complained about the overcrowded building and
lack of staff. Applicants Bandar Al-Otaibi and Nael Al-Harbi were not able to
complete their applications.
Abdel Moneim Al-Shehary, director of the labor office, said the
office had recruited extra staff following the extension three months ago. He
said staff members were working morning and evening shifts to provide services.
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