The Ministry of Labor has granted 26,000 seasonal visas to 18 Haj companies to recruit drivers, technicians and other workers for this year’s Haj. Most visas will be used to recruit drivers to operate a total of 20,000 buses between Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites.
At the same time, the General Cars Syndicate has launched a media campaign to attract young Saudis to work during the Haj season as drivers and technicians for SR 4,000, the syndicate’s spokesman said. Marwan bin Rashad Zubaidi said so far, 173 Saudi drivers had applied, and the syndicate is still receiving applications.
The syndicate is coordinating with the Human Resources Fund and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation. Statistics show the General Cars Syndicate approached 500 Saudi drivers in Makkah and encouraged them to apply.
The jobs include permanent positions at transportation companies for a monthly salary of SR 3,000, Zubaidi said. The drivers will receive courses on safety measures and traffic regulations.
The Civil Defense, Makkah traffic department, Department of Health Affairs, Ministry of Haj and the syndicate will take part in these courses, he added.
Meanwhile, Minister of Haj Bandar Al-Hajar next Saturday will be briefed on the Haj operation plans of the Tawafah (Haj guides) establishments, Zamazemah (Zamzam water agent) United Office and the General Cars Syndicate during a four-day inspection tour. The ministry’s spokesman and undersecretary Hatem bin Hasan Qadhi said the ministry finished coordinating with all official Haj missions to finalize the procedures for the arrival of pilgrims including accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, transportation, food supply, and tents at the holy sites.
In a related development, the head of Pakistan’s official Haj mission, Abu Akef Ahmad, said the first group of the mission would arrive at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport on Sept. 18. Eventually, the number of Pakistani pilgrims will reach 180,000, of which half come with the official mission and the other half with 726 companies and travel agencies, he said. Ahmad added that 160 buildings were rented to accommodate the pilgrims, who will be divided into three classes. Each building will accommodate 500 pilgrims.
26,000 visas set for Haj companies
