Expatriates desperate as amnesty ends Wednesday Last updated: Monday, July 01, 2013 10:47 PM RIYADH – Undocumented expat workers are in a race against time to take advantage of the amnesty ending Wednesday that would allow them to stay or return home without prosecution. More than 1.5 million illegal workers came forward during the first two months of the amnesty, the Labour Ministry said. Of these, some 180,000 have left in addition to more than 200,000 unregistered workers expelled at the start of the year under new regulations to stamp out illegal immigration. Sharon, a Filipina maid, stood queuing in the scorching heat outside her country’s embassy in Riyadh. “I’m trying to renew my passport as I am desperate to find an employer to sponsor me and keep me in the Kingdom,” she said. “I’ve provided fingerprints and obtained a travel document, in case I don’t get my passport ready in time,” the 38-year-old said. But 25-year-old Anne, also from the Philippines, was concerned. “I have a travel document in hand, but I cannot find a seat on a flight to Manila. I am anxious to be with my daughter who I haven’t seen in four years and hold her in my arms,” she said. In Jeddah, Indonesian worker Ali Rahman stood outside Jakarta’s consulate, desperately waiting to finalize his documents. “I’ve lost hope unless the amnesty is extended to after July 3,” he said. “There are still hundreds of us waiting here for consular formalities. And once completed, the paperwork has to go to the immigration authorities and the Labor Ministry.” It is a worrying time for the workers, most of whom are from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Indonesia, but with some from Yemen and Egypt too. They are fearful of the campaign of arrests promised by authorities once the amnesty expires. The authorities have warned employers who continue to shelter illegal workers that they risk up to two years in prison. Economic analyst Fadhl al-Bouainain said the move will benefit both Saudis and foreign workers. “This will help reorganize the labor market to promote the work of Saudis and protect foreign workers from the abuse of sponsors,” he said. However, he warned that the massive departure of tens of thousands of workers will “negatively impact business”, pointing out that some sectors, including construction, “are not attractive for Saudis” who want better paid positions. He said the Labor Ministry should reduce by “at least 30 percent the number of workers in the Kingdom, if the campaign is to be successful.” Another expert, Abdulwahab Abu Dahesh, was more skeptical of the amnesty’s touted benefits. “As foreigners do more low-paid jobs, replacing them with Saudis will not be quick and the impact on the national economy will take some time,” he said. – Agencies
Posted on: Tue, 02 Jul 2013 04:15:11 +0000
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