SAUDI ARABIA EXTENDS AMNESTY FOR ANOTHER FOUR MONTHS

     Jeddah, 24 Shaaban 1434/ 03 July 2013 (IINA) – Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has extended an amnesty for foreign workers to obtain legal status in the country until the end of the Hijri year on November 3, from the previous deadline of July 3, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

     The Ministry of Interior said in a statement that the King issued his directive in pursuant to the royal directive to give a grace period to workers violating the work and residence regulations for a maximum period of three months effective from July 4 to correct their status.

     The King’s order is based on what has been submitted by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Labor. This was in response to the demand from citizens, foreigners and the business sector, the statement said.

      After the end of the maximum grace period, the authorities will start their campaign to detain violators in all regions of the Kingdom effective from Muharram 1, 1435 and all legal procedures shall be applied against violators, SPA quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

       The Ministries of Interior and Labor called on all concerned people to work to meet all the statutory requirements and correct their status as soon as possible within the referred period. Those who do not respond positively shall be subjected to maximum penalties in accordance with the provisions of the regulations.

        Earlier this year, the Kingdom began to crack down on the many foreign workers who have violated their visa terms with surprise inspections on streets and in company offices.

        The government then announced an amnesty during which workers would be forgiven any fees or fines for visa violations such as overstaying or switching jobs, but bureaucratic delays mean many have still not regularized their status. (T/P02/E1)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)