The royal decree extending the grace period for expatriates to correct their residency documents has been welcomed by the people in the Eastern Province.
Abdulmalik Bhatti, a Pakistani national who was offered a job by a large construction company during the last job fair a couple of days ago, was elated at the decision as it would allow his new employer to process his sponsorship documents.
Prema Shikhar, a Nepalese who has already been issued an emergency passport by the Nepalese Embassy, was glad to hear the news since it would provide him with ample time to acquire a final exit visa and leave the Kingdom.
Narayan Rao, an Indian laborer from Hyderabad, was unable to take up a job at a better company as his existing sponsor was out of the country. He now hopes he will be able to get a release from his sponsor and take up a new job.
Mirza Zaheer Baig, president of the Eastern Province Hyderabad Association, said the much anticipated and requested extension is indeed a great relief for all officials, volunteers and expatriates, as it will ease pressure and allow them to focus on their work.
“Workers who were being pressured by their sponsors to pay huge amounts to get release documents will now have more time to bargain or approach the Labor Office or other authorities to redress their grievances,” said Mohammed Abdul Waheed, an active volunteer helping Indian nationals in Dammam.
The onset of Ramadan has also left expatriates who had been kicked out of work relaxed as the amnesty extension will allow them more time to search for work without worrying about food and water in view of the Iftar camps that are set up during the holy month across the Kingdom.
Many expatriates who have their families with them and have already got the required clearance to leave the Kingdom are finding it very difficult to send them home due to high airline ticket prices. These individuals are planning to send their families home after the summer when airline prices fall.
The human resources personnel of various companies who have been working overtime to process the documents of their existing and newly hired employees also felt at ease with the decision.
Expats heave a sigh of relief
