Saudi King extends amnesty for foreign workers

Eurasia News

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah has extended an amnesty for foreign workers to obtain legal status in the country until November 3, from the previous deadline of July 3, the official Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Earlier this year the kingdom began to crack down on the many foreign workers who have violated their visa terms with surprise inspections on streets and in company offices.

The government then announced an amnesty during which workers would be forgiven any fees or fines for visa violations such as overstaying or switching jobs, but bureaucratic delays mean many have still not regularized their status.

Thousands of Pakistanis would have also taken a sigh of relief after the extension as they were struggling hard to find alternative jobs and find ways to continue their stay in the Kingdom to earn their livelihood.

Nearly 50,000 Pakistani workers are illegally staying in Saudi Arabia.