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Saudi continues undocumented worker crackdown in spite of inflation concerns
| Published: | 13 Nov at 6 PM |
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In spite of concerns in the private and expat-owned business sectors, Saudi Arabia’s government is determined to rid the kingdom of all unregistered workers.
Riyadh’s governor, Prince Khaled bin Bader, confirmed yesterday that the government is determined to rid Saudi Arabia of all its undocumented workers. In spite of protests by private firms, expat-owned businesses and those concerned the move will result in double-figure inflation, the governor said that no ill-effects would be felt in the Saudi economy.
The move, he said, would help to protect the rights of documented overseas workers in the kingdom, adding that Saudi was not alone in world countries in demanding regulation of the labour market. We will continue, he said, until all foreigners here have legal residence permits and sponsors.
In his speech to senior Saudi officials and prominent scholars, bin Bader said that the enforcement of the new law was not aimed at a specific foreign community, but at all those who were undocumented and violating residency and labour laws. He downplayed the recent riots in which three people were killed and refuted foreign media reports, calling them inaccurate.
Regarding the probability of price hikes due to the increased cost of local labour, he stated that the government is working with the Commerce Ministry on the issue in order to ensure that supplies of foodstuffs and essential commodities were not affected. The market in services, he added, will not be disrupted by the move.
Riyadh’s governor, Prince Khaled bin Bader, confirmed yesterday that the government is determined to rid Saudi Arabia of all its undocumented workers. In spite of protests by private firms, expat-owned businesses and those concerned the move will result in double-figure inflation, the governor said that no ill-effects would be felt in the Saudi economy.
The move, he said, would help to protect the rights of documented overseas workers in the kingdom, adding that Saudi was not alone in world countries in demanding regulation of the labour market. We will continue, he said, until all foreigners here have legal residence permits and sponsors.
In his speech to senior Saudi officials and prominent scholars, bin Bader said that the enforcement of the new law was not aimed at a specific foreign community, but at all those who were undocumented and violating residency and labour laws. He downplayed the recent riots in which three people were killed and refuted foreign media reports, calling them inaccurate.
Regarding the probability of price hikes due to the increased cost of local labour, he stated that the government is working with the Commerce Ministry on the issue in order to ensure that supplies of foodstuffs and essential commodities were not affected. The market in services, he added, will not be disrupted by the move.
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