Absconding workers on the rise

RIYADH, 31 August — The expatriate’s section at the Passports Department in Riyadh receives about 150 calls daily from Saudi sponsors on absconding workers. "Last month we received more than 4,500 such calls," Capt. Humaidan Al-Jubail told Al-Watan. In order to prevent foul play, the authorities have decided to slap a fine of SR2,000 on sponsors who withdraw their complaints, he said. At the same time, sponsors will be fined SR1,000 if they fail to inform the department the disappearance of a worker within three days.