In a significant development here, the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) has urged the Saudi government to consider extending the deadline for the amnesty period.
In a letter to the authorities concerned, JCCI President Saleh Kamel said that with the July 3 deadline a few days away, failure to provide an extension would mean delays in completing several projects.
Head of the JCCI's building and construction committee, Khalaf Al-Otaibi, also urged the Ministry of Labor to extend the grace period to ensure projects are completed.
“The private sector has responded positively to the decisions of the Ministry of Labor to correct the status of employees. However, it should be understood that documentation takes a lot of time, particularly in a situation where there is a lot of pressure because of the heavy response. It is a known fact that the ministry takes about six weeks to complete formalities,” he said.
He said contracting companies are affected the most because they have many workers on their payrolls needing to rectify their status. He called for an extension of the grace period until the end of the Hijri year (beginning of November this year).
A statement issued by the JCCI said the overcrowding at labor and passport offices has slowed down documentation procedures.
JCCI calls for extension of amnesty
