Samar Yahya Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — About 3,000 Egyptians will be able to get jobs offered by several companies at the first recruitment forum organized by the Egyptian consulate here on Wednesday. The forum, to be held under the patronage of Consul General Adel El-Alfy, is being organized by professional associations in cooperation with Egyptian Welfare Association and with the auspices of Labor Consul Kamal Abdel Azim. It aims to take advantage of the amnesty announced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. The forum is to work as a coordinator between companies requiring employees and Egyptians seeking jobs. With the participation of between 10 to 20 companies, the forum is expected to provide jobs to about 3,000 Egyptians. The recruitment service will not be limited to the period of the forum, but organizers will continue to receive requests for jobs on [email protected]. Anyone who didn't have the chance to attend the forum is eligible to send a request and will be provided help to find an appropriate job consistent with his qualifications and experience. Consul General El-Alfy said: “We are working on two counts: To assist Egyptians needing to correct their residence status. It includes those who have violated regulations by overstaying their Umrah or visit visas and willing to go home. We have already helped around 4,000 nationals to return home. There are some other cases where some more paper work is required for getting an exit visa.” “The second part is for those who want to continue working in the Kingdom and correct their residence status. The amnesty provides a good opportunity for all the illegals to correct their status,” he said. The recruitment forum at the consulate, he said, will be a golden opportunity to get suitable jobs.
He said discussions are continuing between the labor ministries of Egypt and the Kingdom on the modalities enabling Saudi labor ministry to update the Egyptian authorities on the nature of jobs suitable for Egyptians. The main problem the consulate faces, El- Alfy said, is the absence of statistics showing the expected number of Egyptians who would seek consulate's assistance. “The consulate unable to decide whether more staff is needed from Egypt,” he said. Labor consul Kamal Abdel Azim said: “Legal consultants and other professionals are working under the umbrella of the consulate to help people wanting to transfer their sponsorships. “We are hopeful that the forum will be able to provide jobs to all the applicants.”
