RIYADH: Mufrej Al-Haqabani, labor minister, vowed Tuesday to ensure the Binladin Group keeps a promise to resolve wage issues, amid reports of thousands at the building firm facing unpaid salaries and layoffs.
His comments followed press reports that the construction giant was laying off 77,000 foreign workers.
Saudi Binladin Group confirmed to AFP that some staff have been let go, but refused to provide any figures.
“The company promised to solve all the issues related to the wages,” Al-Haqabani said on the sidelines of the Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference.
He did not confirm the number of affected employees but said the ministry’s “top priority” is to ensure they get their salaries under the Kingdom’s wage protection system.
“Once we notice a company delaying the salaries we will... send our inspectors,” Al-Haqabani said.
He said expats facing wage problems can either stay with the company, transfer contracts to another employer, or leave the country and assign someone to follow their case with the firm.
“The payment will never be forgotten even if they leave the country... and we as a Ministry of Labor will continue until we get the salaries of all the workers.”
Staff at another Saudi construction giant, Saudi Oger Ltd, have also complained of unpaid wages.
The minister, however, insisted the problem is not widespread. “We still have many expats coming to the country. Two cases will never be able to represent the situation of the labor market in Saudi Arabia.”
His comments followed press reports that the construction giant was laying off 77,000 foreign workers.
Saudi Binladin Group confirmed to AFP that some staff have been let go, but refused to provide any figures.
“The company promised to solve all the issues related to the wages,” Al-Haqabani said on the sidelines of the Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference.
He did not confirm the number of affected employees but said the ministry’s “top priority” is to ensure they get their salaries under the Kingdom’s wage protection system.
“Once we notice a company delaying the salaries we will... send our inspectors,” Al-Haqabani said.
He said expats facing wage problems can either stay with the company, transfer contracts to another employer, or leave the country and assign someone to follow their case with the firm.
“The payment will never be forgotten even if they leave the country... and we as a Ministry of Labor will continue until we get the salaries of all the workers.”
Staff at another Saudi construction giant, Saudi Oger Ltd, have also complained of unpaid wages.
The minister, however, insisted the problem is not widespread. “We still have many expats coming to the country. Two cases will never be able to represent the situation of the labor market in Saudi Arabia.”
