Majed Al-Mofadali Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – The Ministry of Labor will not correct the status of runaway (huroob) workers as well as Haj and Umrah visa overstayers who do not have either their passports or iqamas, according to sources at the ministry. The sources also denied rumors that Bangladeshis and Ethiopians are excluded from the ongoing correction of residency and work status. “All foreign nationals without any exception can benefit from the grace period. Even foreign nationals whose number exceeded the quota fixed for each trade and firm can also take advantage of the Royal reprieve,” the sources said. Earlier this month, the ministries of interior and labor announced additional facilities and exemptions to correct violations of residency and labor laws. Accordingly, workers reported to be absent from work (huroob) and those whose iqamas and work permits have expired can correct their status either by going back to work with their current employers or by transferring their iqamas to new employers without the need for the approval of their incumbent employers. But financial issues can be settled through the judicial authorities.
