Some 3,000 skilled and unskilled Pakistani expats in various professions participated in the third job fair on July 25 and 26. It was organized by the Pakistani Embassy to help undocumented workers legalize their status.

The fair was organized at the Pakistan International School in Alkhobar with the contribution of more than 60 Pakistani, local and multinational companies.

Addressing workers on behalf of Ambassador Muhammad Naeem Khan, community welfare attaché Mueenudin said: “The Pakistani Embassy is exerting efforts to safeguard their interests so that a maximum number of Pakistani workers can get new jobs and legalize their job status during the grace period.”

He urged Pakistanis to make use of the extended grace period, especially through such events being organized by their embassy.

“We have registered more than 400 companies at the Pakistani Embassy and have made a list of 8,000 workers, which we provide to companies for recruitment,” he said.

Syed Hammad Abid, another community welfare attaché, added: “These job fairs are part of the same effort and similar job fairs will be held at different places at the end of Ramadan as well.

“We are thankful to company representatives for turning out in large numbers on request from the embassy to recruit Pakistani workers. We also appreciate the cooperation extended by school management, Pakistani notables of the area and volunteers.”

Most of the vacancies available at the job fair are for construction workers, shuttering carpenters, masons, steel fixers, plumbers, electricians, heavy equipment operators, accountants, and mechanical, civil, electrical engineers, sales executives, waiters, restaurant services, graphic designers and welders, among others.

Earlier, the Saudi government stressed that following the expiry of the amnesty deadline, penalties will be imposed on violators and their employers.

The recruiters of illegal workers could face jail up to two years and fines of up to SR100,000.