Saudi Gazette report DAMMAM — The Ministry of Labor's Eastern Province branch has mobilized all its resources to cope with the rush of unregulated foreigners who wish to correct their residency and work status by taking advantage of the royal reprieve. Muhammad Al-Mana, director of the branch, said a well-equipped and air-conditioned huge tent has been erected close to the ministry building to receive the foreigners and streamline procedures for them. Working hours have also been extended until 6 p.m., Al-Riyadh newspaper reported Thursday. Al-Mana said: “The grace period granted by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to correct the status of stranded foreigners is a historic opportunity that must be seized by companies and workers either to rectify their status or leave the Kingdom without any fine or penalty. “The new drive would put an end to the present unorganized situation of the employment market and make it more organized and stable.” According to Al-Mana, the ministry's branch has developed a working plan to address this issue. “We have mobilized all our resources, especially manpower, and are deputing more than 190 staffers at all the labor offices in the province. The newly erected tent can accommodate more than 200 people.” He said all the concerned government departments and agencies are lending a helping hand in facilitating the procedures. Al-Mana said the process encompasses all unregulated foreigners in the Kingdom without any exception. A change of profession is also possible for all trades except those reserved for Saudis. “It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that the employee is fit and qualified to do the job while changing his profession. “As for some professions such as doctor and engineer, their professional degree certificates are required.” Al-Mana said the services offered by the labor offices include facilitating the return of foreigners who work with other employers to their sponsors, revoking huroob (absconding) notifications, transfer of workers' sponsorships allowing them to work with employers in the green and platinum categories, change of profession in all categories, issuing exit stamps without charging any fee, and fingerprinting if the worker leaves on final exit. He said the services do not include entertaining applications for issuing new labor visas. “Similarly, there will not be any services for firms with an expired license or those with a visit visa.”
