He said the ministry would also impose fines on the private companies employing the foreigners abusing the disabled. "The ministry will not tolerate any instance of cruelty to any of the disabled people at the rehabilitation centers by anyone," he warned.

Cases of violence against the disabled were on the rise lately. There are 37 rehabilitation centers in the Kingdom.

The source said the ministry also asked all centers to use surveillance cameras for a round-the-clock watch of the centers.

The source explained that a foreign worker accused of verbally abusing a disabled person will be officially warned and then dismissed from his job if this is repeated. He said the private company hiring the worker would be fined.

He added that in case of physical aggression, the security organs will be informed and the violating foreigner will be tried according to the law. "The ministry will sternly deal with any excesses against occupants of its social homes whether disabled, orphan or old," the official said.

According to him, three private companies run the social homes of the ministry in various parts of the country.