RIYADH: Expatriate workers coming to the Kingdom with seasonal visas for Haj-related work will be monitored and strict action taken against those found violating the set norms, an official of the Ministry of Labor said here on Sunday.

The idea is to check whether the workers deployed at various places hold valid work visas, Abdullah Abu Thunaiyan, undersecretary of the Ministry of Labor for Inspection and Developing Work Environment, said.

Inspections will be carried out at all sea, land and air entry points in the western province, including the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah Islamic Port and sea and airports at Tabuk, Dubah, Qurrayat, Jazan and in Makkah and Madinah, he said.

Private companies employ thousands of workers on seasonal visas for Haj-related work during the pilgrimage season.

Thunaiyan said his department would conduct a campaign with the help of other relevant authorities such as the immigration department, police and the respective local authorities.

Last year in a similar campaign, the ministry found 5,706 people working in contravention of the regulations. Some of the workers were working contrary to their specific job description while some of the expatriates holding seasonal work visas had actually come to perform Haj.

Some business organizations have also been accused of misusing the seasonal visa scheme for vested interests.

“All expatriate workers, including seasonal workers, will be dealt with firmly in the context of violations,” he said, adding that the ministry will not spare anyone found not rendering proper Haj related services.

The ministry will set up an observation office in Makkah to monitor the labor violations during Haj. The center will be electronically linked to other offices at various places at holy sites.