Labor and iqama violators have found a novel way to evade the current security campaigns.

Some wear traditional Saudi attire, while others don Saudi headgear as they buy and sell second-hand cars in Madinah’s parking lots. The owners of these car lots allow illegal expats to act as brokers to lure customers to their sites.

Most of these expats are living in violation of residency and labor laws.

Many nationals are calling for the prosecution of these violators. One national said that violators increase pressure on young Saudis competing for employment in such jobs.

Khalil Ahmad told Arab News that inspection campaigns must be intensified in car lots, as expatriates continue to go uncontrolled. “They wear traditional Saudi ‘thobes’ so that they blend in,” he said.

He said many Saudi car site owners continue to hire illegals despite constant warnings made by the Interior and Labor Ministries stating that citizens who harbor illegals would be punished.

Saud Al-Jaberi said that at the beginning of the security campaign, expatriates who used to buy and sell cars disappeared but have since returned, sitting with owners and moving about freely within car lots.

Jaberi said owners should bear the responsibility of allowing illegal expats to work with them. Most of these car lots, he said, have cars belonging to expatriates parked inside them.

He said violators are often warned by friends via WhatsApp of inspection campaigns taking place in the street, which gives them time to escape.