JEDDAH: More Saudi employees of the Saudia Catering Company have come forward to file cases against their employer with the Labor Office, alleging the local catering company has been violating labor regulations.
“At least 127 other employees have come forward. The number of signatures collected so far is 239,” said one of the employees, who asked his name not be published.
“The Labor Office investigation has encouraged more employees to speak out,” he added.
Employees say the company is violating labor laws and endangering national security by employing overstayers in its operations department, the final line before food and drink are boarded onto aircraft. The employees are also complaining of discrimination and slave-like work conditions.
The Labor Office had summoned the director of Saudia Catering on Saturday following inspections on the company’s premises on Jan. 4.
The summons letter, which was sent to the company and of which Arab News has a copy, requested the company’s director to also bring with him documents including details of all Saudi and non-Saudi employees.
A Labor Office document, which Arab News also acquired, showed that inspectors found a number of violations.
Employees say they are fed up with the company’s illegal activities and are supporting their allegations with evidence collected over several months. Employees alleged problems began two years ago with the appointment of a new unit manager who began shifting Saudis from jobs that met their qualifications to jobs unrelated to their training and education level.
The employees also claim unqualified foreign workers who do not possess correct work permits have been given supervisory positions.
The complainants also allege that only 20 percent of the Saudia Catering work force is Saudi, a figure that is well below the 75 percent required under Saudi law of companies operating in the sector.
When Arab News contacted Saudia Catering yesterday, there was no one authorized to talk to the press available to comment. But a source said the company’s human resource department was following up on the complaint with the Labor Office.
