As the July 3 deadline looms, there is a sense of panic not only among expatriate workers but also Saudi employers who are making frantic efforts to escape harsh fines.
Like thousands of guest workers, who stand in long queues in front of labor and passport offices, Saudis are also struggling to get their workers’ status rectified before the deadline.
Wael Al-Badawi, a Saudi government official, said he had to keep his driver at any cost.
“He has worked for me long enough to know all my habits. I really don’t need to bring a new one who will have to start anew and who knows nothing about me,” he added.
Sultan Al-Shahrani, who owns a laundry shop, faced the same problem.
“I really feel very upset at those processors. They don’t seem to be aware of the gravity of the situation and the damage they can cause people who trust them with their applications,” he said.
“Can you believe that they are so in high demand that they now command SR 13,000 for their services?” he said.
According to regulations, individual sheltering overstayers or illegals can expect to pay as much as SR 30,000 in fines and have their names published in the local press.
Fines are multiplied for each overstayer involved.
In a related development, job fairs conducted by foreign companies in association with the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry attracted more than 23,000 workers and some 600 Riyadh-based companies.
RELATED STORIES:
• Saudis struggle to rectify workers’ status
