Paid agents help illegal workers avoid inspectors

Facing a government crackdown, some businesses and malls employing illegal workers are paying agents to inform them of imminent inspections by the Passports Department and Ministry of Labor.
Messages are conveyed to them via phone calls and SMSs. Violators are then able to get away until the inspections are over.
Government officials have reportedly conducted regular inspections over the past few weeks at various malls and businesses. It has also emerged that some popular shops have closed temporarily so that they can rectify their status.
Col. Muhammad Al-Hassan, spokesman of the passport department in Jeddah, said that patrols are conducted regularly.
Government has introduced various measures to reduce the number of foreign workers in the Kingdom and provide jobs for Saudi citizens.
Business establishments have been warned not to employ workers who have not transferred their residence permits.