I am writing with regard to the report "Only MOI authorized to confiscate iqamas, says NSHR member" (Aug. 30). A member of the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) has said that only the Ministry of Interior has the right to confiscate the iqamas of expatriates. Iqamas are official identity cards and it is against the law for anyone, sponsors included, to take them away from expatriate workers. Those who have been deprived of their iqamas improperly can file a complaint with the authorities and demand financial compensation. However, I would like to point out that it is mostly poor expatriate workers who have their iqamas confiscated. Even if these workers are aware of their rights, they find it difficult to sue in Saudi courts. If they miss a day of work, their families who depend upon their wages will suffer. The NSHR should find a way to represent these workers in court so that they do not have to do it themselves. Ashref, Online response
