Ibrahim Qadi, director of the department for disputes at the labor office, said it received a petition from drivers of vehicles carrying bodies at the company against their arbitrary dismissal from service. “Subsequently, we sent a letter to the concerned company to appear at the labor office to give their explanation for the act. If they fail to appear, we will send one more letter. In case they do not respond favorably, they will be brought forcibly in front of us, in line with the standing rules and regulations,” he said.

The drivers pointed out in their petition that they had been sacked at the end of their work contract. They complained that the company dismissed them arbitrarily while allowing one group of their colleagues to continue in service. The new recruits do not have any experience in the field, they said.

Majed Al-Harbi, one of the sacked drivers, said the arbitrary dismissal had put him in severe financial constraints. “We worked hard and were always punctual on duty, and there were no complaints raised against us. Our difficult financial conditions forced us to receive the meager monthly salary of SR2,000, as this was the only means to support our family,” he said, adding that the company “rewarded us with sacking” instead of giving any incentives for the hard work.

Muneer Al-Rasheedi, another fired driver, said there was no justification for their arbitrary dismissal. “The only reason we can assume for the sacking is our demand to fulfill the requirements as per the work contract, especially disbursement of salary on the 10th of every Hijri month. But the company failed to do so,” he said.  

Waleed Al-Harbi, another driver, said that he and his colleagues got the salary of last month only on Dec. 27, and that was a violation of the provisions of the work contract.  “We are facing severe financial problems and are in need of having some increments and allowances to support our families. Even in the absence of this, we want to continue serving the company by accepting the salary,” he said while complaining that the company supposedly had no concern for their devoted and sincere service.