JEDDAH, 30 May 2006 — The Council of Ministers yesterday agreed to cancel the fees and fines that are to be paid to the Passport Department by the employer of an absconded and dead expatriate worker provided the sponsor informs the authorities about the worker’s disappearance.
The government has pledged to bear such fees and fines on the basis of the labor law, said Transport Minister and Acting Culture and Information Minister Jabara Al-Seraisry, speaking after the Cabinet meeting chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
The Cabinet also decided to exempt a sponsor from bearing the cost of transporting an absconded worker’s dead body if the sponsor informs the authorities of his absence.
The meeting appointed a committee comprising officials from the ministries of interior, foreign affairs, health and labor to set out rules and regulations in this respect, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
“The Cabinet took another decision allowing GCC citizens to practice liaison services and trade agency works on a reciprocal basis,” Seraisry said.
The meeting asked the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) to carry out the work of national committees to promote inter-Arab transport and trade.
While reviewing regional and international issues, the Cabinet called upon Palestinian groups to bring an end to their differences and work toward strengthening national unity. It also warned the Palestinians that their internal fighting would have a negative impact on their legitimate cause.
During the meeting, King Abdullah expressed his deep condolences over the deaths and destruction caused by the devastating earthquake in Indonesia and instructed the Saudi authorities to take quick steps in sending relief supplies to victims.
The Cabinet also commended the success achieved by security agencies in the Gulf Cooperation Council states in combating terrorism as well as the resolutions adopted by a meeting of GCC interior ministers in Abu Dhabi last week.
