Raids on Illegal Workers Begin November 4 in Saudi Arabia
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BY
APRIL ROSE
– OCTOBER 31, 2013POSTED IN: FEATURED, OFW NEWS, WORLDAPRIL ROSE
Kingdom OF Saudi Arabia- The 3-month amnesty for illegal workers is almost over. On Monday, November 4, More than 1,200 men and women inspectors will start raiding companies, markets and public places all over the kingdom to check for illegal workers, according to an official of the Ministry Of Labor.
All foreign workers must have valid work contracts stamped by the chamber of commerce in their city of residence. Also, Saudis harboring and employing workers not under their sponsorship will be fined.
Violators will be fined up to SR100, 000, two years in prison, or both for repeat offenders. Even foreign workers found working on their own (freelancers), even with permission from their employer will also be considered violators and their sponsors will be fined as well.
In line with this, Vice President Jejomar Binay of the Republic of the Philippines and presidential adviser for Overseas Filipino Workers’ concerns sent a letter to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, to appeal for another extension of the deadline for Filipino OFWs to correct their working status in the Kingdom.
OFW organizations based in Saudi Arabia support Vice President Binay’s move.
According to the statement of Abdul Ghafar Dimalutang, vice president of the Riyadh-based OFW Congress, many OFWs have yet to legalize their status.
“OFWs have complained of dire overcrowding at the main offices.”
Philippine Ambassador Ezzedin Tago said that the Philippine government has sent two senior officials to help in the status correction procedures and repatriation of the Filipino OFWs.
Jesus Yabes, foreign undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs, has already arrived in the kingdom.
These officials along with the Philippine Embassy in the kingdom will hold talks with the Saudi Social Welfare and Immigration officials regarding the condition of illegal Filipino workers in the kingdom.
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