Hazem Al-Mutairi Okaz/Saudi Gazette RIYADH – The ministries of interior and labor have reiterated that there won't be any more extension of the amnesty period for correction of residency and labor status of unregulated expatriates, according to a chamber official. Abdulrahman Al-Zamil, president of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), said that both ministries have informed that Nov. 3 (Dhul Hijja 29) will be the last date for rectifying the status.
He also strongly denied rumors circulating about a third extension of the amnesty. Al-Zamil urged the Ministry of Interior to serve a warning notice and then take penal action against sponsors who create hurdles in the way of completing the rectification procedures. “The undesirable practice on the part of some sponsors to receive ‘payment' from their workers after allowing them to go out and find jobs on their own is totally unacceptable,” he said. Al-Zamil said that the chamber will pool all its human resources to facilitate the correction process through attestation of documents.
“All the concerned should shoulder responsibility to address this big problem in a way serving the interest of the nation and achieving a balance in the labor market.” He urged the Ministry of Labor to take extra care while issuing labor visas at least until the end of the current year taking into consideration the availability of a large number of workers in the local market itself. Al-Zamil unveiled plans to establish a specialized center at the chamber to answer all types of queries, including technical, legal and procedural ones, so as to speed up the rectification process.
