RIYADH: More than 400 Saudis employed by Saudi Customs as dog handlers are complaining of back pains, allergies and threats from the criminals they hunt down. What makes their job even more difficult is that the 400 staff, some who have been employed for over 18 years, are on temporary contracts.
“Despite the importance of the role they play guarding the country against smugglers and terrorists, they are on temporary contracts. They are not official employees coming under the Court of Civil Service,” said the local Al-Riyadh newspaper.
As a result, the dog handlers have called on the Director General of Customs Saleh bin Manie Al-Khilaiwi to implement a decision issued in 1425H to give them official positions. This decree was followed by another royal decree in 1426H stipulating that all Saudis holding temporary positions in government departments be given permanent jobs.
