BURAIDA: A company operating Buraida Central Hospital has terminated the contracts of 24 Saudi employees because its contract with the Ministry of Health has ended. The employees were in various positions including telephone exchange, reception, security and maintenance. They have been asked by the company to be present to process their remaining financial dues. The employees received letters stating that their contracts have been terminated. “The Ministry of Health periodically signs several contracts with private firms for the operation and maintenance of some healthcare facilities,” said Muhammad Al-Dabbasi, the Qasim Health Affairs spokesman. “The relationship with these companies ends with the end of the contracts,” he added. The Labor Office in Buraida said that if a complaint is received from the employees it will be dealt with according to regulations. However, the employees have described the sacking as “unfair”. “The decision really hurt me,” said Dakheel Al-Dhakheel, who is married and worked for the company for six years for SR1,183 a month. Another sacked employee, Khaled Al-Harbi, who is a technical college graduate, said that although the salary was not equal to his degree, he had to endure the situation.
