Fresh batch of 300 Pakistani workers stranded in KSA reaches home

Saudi Gazette report Jeddah — As many as 300 stranded Pakistani workers sacked by some construction companies in Saudi Arabia arrived at Benazir International Airport Rawalpindi on Friday from Riyadh and Dammam, Pakistani media reports said on Saturday. Some of the workers told the media that their companies suffered financial losses, and so they were laid-off forcing them to lead a vulnerable life in containers and camps established there for the last one year. They said that some employers had also confiscated their passports and did not give their dues. It all began about eight months ago when many companies declared bankruptcy after reportedly facing a “financial crunch.” For about 12,000 Pakistanis working in different capacities for these companies operating from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Ta’if, the domino effect was sudden and unexpected. The laborers were living in pitiable conditions in 19 camps set up by the companies in the four cities. Last month Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Pir Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi visited the Kingdom and had a detailed meeting with the Saudi Labor Minister Mufrej Al-Haqbani. Workers of mainly two companies — Saudi Oger and Saad Contracting Company — are among the most affected. Director of the Ministry of Labor Social Development branch in Makkah Abdullah Al-Olayan announced last month that Saudi Oger company has agreed to give its Pakistani workers their passports to enable them to transfer their iqamas (residence permits) to other sponsors or to depart for home. He said the ministry has established a special Internet link under the name Kawadir (cadres) to register all the Pakistani workers in the company and to list their wishes to be realized as quickly as possible. Olayan said the Pakistani workers were given the option either to remain in the Kingdom to work for other sponsors or leave for home on final exit visas. He said the ministry will bear all the costs of the iqama transfer fees, the charges of the final exit visa and the air tickets and will deduct these costs from the company at the time of the final settlement.