Saudi authorities on Sunday rejected requests by embassies, public and private sectors to extend the grace period to legalize the status of workers violating labor regulations.
According to a source, the request was submitted a week ago.
“The government refused to extend the period that will end on July 3 and has urged official departments to adhere to the deadline of the three-month grace period given by King Abdullah,” the source said.
Labor Ministry Spokesman Hattab Al-Anazi said that the grace period was based on a royal decree and only another royal decree could extend it.
“The authorities would start applying the penal system on violators from July 4. There will be no exceptions,” said Al-Anazi.
Further, Makkah Passport Department Head Brigadier Hussain Al-Harthi said that his administration has caught forgery attempts by expatriates for staying on in the kingdom. Commenting on the video that went viral online showing a passport officer hitting expatriates, Al-Harthi said that it was unacceptable and passport personnel should serve both nationals and expatriates.
He revealed, “Some expatriates broke the passport department’s gate, leading to chaos inside, but that does not allow any official to act inappropriately. The delinquent officer was fired from the department immediately following an investigation,” he said.
