Officials are ready to implement the Cabinet decision stipulating that the state will bear visa fees for housemaids and drivers recruited by people with special needs, said Dr. Yousuf Bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen, Minister of Social Affairs. However, a Ministry of Labor official requesting anonymity said implementation of the decision was delayed due to other factors including inaction of officials from the Ministry of Finance. The Cabinet decision issued two years ago said that the government would pay for recruitment visas, exit and reentry visas, residency permit issuance and renewal fees for drivers, housemaids and nurses employed by people with special needs. Several people with special needs recently approached Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, to accelerate the implementation of the Cabinet decision. Yahya Al-Sumairi, a disabled person, said most people like him receive monthly aid of SR833 from Social Affairs “but this is not enough for food, medication, accommodation and the salary of a driver or a nurse.” Seham, a disabled girl, said she did not work and suffers because of a lack of transportation. “My brother is also disabled,” she said. “A car is available with us and the Cabinet decision made us hopeful.” She said the delay in implementing the Cabinet's decision hurts them emotionally. Other disabled people agreed on that they are looking forward to the decision being implemented. Reem Abdullah, who is disabled and unemployed, appealed to be exempted from fees for passport issuance and renewal. __
