Pakistani envoy lauds govt for concession to expats

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Muhammad Naeem Khan has applauded the Saudi government for granting concession and facilitating Pakistani workers to correct their illegal status in the Kingdom.
“We are partners with the Saudi government in ensuring that all members of Pakistani Community are documented and working legally in the Kingdom,” Khan said.
Speaking with Arab News, Khan said: “We are highly grateful to King Abdullah, Crown Prince Salman and the ministers of Labor and Interior for changes in new labor regulations and the three-month grace period for illegal workers to correct their status.
“I encourage my community to take advantage of the grace period granted by the Saudi government.” The grace period would end on 3 July.
He said that Pakistani workers should contact the embassy about the details of the new policy. Those who wish to regularize their legal status must contact the concerned labor office, and those who wish to go back to Pakistan should go to Jawazat after getting emergency passport/out pass from our embassy in Riyadh and consulate general in Jeddah.
“The application forms are available throughout the Kingdom,” Khan said.
On Saturday, the ministry of labor announced the new labor regulations.
The ministry said that after the expiry of the deadline, penalties will be imposed on violators and their employers. The recruiters of illegal workers could face jail up to two years and fines of up to SR 100,000.
According to new regulations, all law violators who intend to regularize themselves will be exempted from all sorts of fines and punishments less the compulsory government fees.
“All such violators who intend to leave for their respective countries would be exempt from fines and iqama renewal fee. They would be allowed to return to Saudi Arabia on new work visas after finger printing at the time of their departure from the Kingdom,” according to a new policy for expatriates.
Khan said he is trying his best to educate and encourage the Pakistani community to avail the opportunity within the stipulated time.
“All focal persons and focal points with regard to the registration campaign would also be utilized to reach out to Pakistani workers residing in different parts of the Kingdom,” Khan said.
With new concessions in labor policy, both domestic and non-domestic expatriate workers would be entitled to change their profession without paying any fee within the grace period.
The ban previously imposed by the Saudi Labor Ministry on change of profession on domestic workers like home drivers, farm workers and house watchman has also been lifted by allowing them change of profession and sponsorship.
According to the policy, Hajj and Umra over stayers who arrived in Saudi Arabia before 3rd July 2008 have also been allowed to regularize their status by working as domestic workers or in private companies.
All these over stayers who decide to leave for their respective countries would also be allowed to do so without being black listed or subject to fines.