Faisal, Emir of Makkah Region, has ordered the establishment of a committee to study the phenomenon of the violation of residency (Iqama) regulations in the region, determine the causes and find urgent solutions to tackle the problem. The Emir called on the concerned departments and agencies to monitor the employment of workers in companies and establishments and to determine whether or not they are legal employees. Presiding over a meeting in his office here to discuss the number of violators of Iqama regulations living under bridges in Jeddah, Prince Khaled stressed the importance of implementing all regulations and laws issued in this regard including the imposition of fines and stiff penalties against overstayers and those who help them. Prince Khaled issued directives to the committee that is supervised by Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Khudhairi, Undersecretary of the governorate, to find urgent solutions that can be implemented within one week after receiving the approval of Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior. During the meeting, security and government authorities briefed the Emir on the reports, studies and information they have on violators. They said 156,000 overstayers and other violators of residency permits have been deported since the beginning of the year.
