Immigration officials to get lessons in etiquette
Published: Mar 15, 2010 00:32 Updated: Mar 15, 2010 00:32
JEDDAH: Passport Department personnel, consisting of officers and privates working at Saudi Arabia’s airports and other inlets, will be sent abroad for intensive English language courses and etiquette training, according to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper.
“Some of our staff lack diplomacy in dealing with passengers and many of them cannot communicate in English,” Lt. Col. Talal Al-Malik, a spokesman for the Passport Department, told the newspaper.
He said groups of 60 officers and privates will be sent to Canada, Australia and other countries to study English for a year. He said the program started last year and would benefit hundreds of their staff.
“The program, under the directives of Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Prince Naif, is aimed at improving the English language of our staff and teaching them how to deal with passengers,” Al-Malik said.
Meanwhile, the Passport Department announced that it will appoint a number of women officers at various exit and entry points to deal with female visitors and travelers.
The directorate also announced that it would intensify the practice of fingerprinting and photographing women visitors to the country.
The department on Monday closed receiving applications for the job of women officers. It said a list of selected applicants will be published shortly.
Only Saudi women with Saudi parentage were eligible to apply, and in case of married women, their husbands must also be Saudi.
Selected applicants should be willing to work both day and night shifts and may have to undergo training in other cities. Only candidates with English language proficiency will be hired. They will be required to produce consent letter from their male guardians.

Comments
SARA AL-SHAIKH
Mar 15, 2010 11:31
Report abuseAMINAH YUSOF
Mar 15, 2010 11:32
Report abuseThis is long overdue and I am very happy as on my several trips for umrah and haj their attitude always atrocious and if not for Makkah and Madinah I would never set foot in your country. Why not send them to Singapore where our famous Changi airport is number one in the world for many years with their services etc and learn from us. Thank you.
NISHTHAR IDROOS
Mar 15, 2010 11:33
Report abuseAZMET
Mar 15, 2010 11:35
Report abuseFAISAL
Mar 15, 2010 11:36
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