Cabinet seeks resolution of all labor issues before July 3

The Council of Ministers, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, yesterday urged violators of iqama and labor rules to make use of the grace period to correct their status before its expiry on July 3.
“The measures taken by authorities are in the interest of both workers and employers,” the Cabinet said.
The Labor Ministry, meanwhile, announced that all illegals wishing to correct their status and stay for work in the Kingdom are exempt from penalties and fines associated with their violations occurred before April 6.
In advertisements published in local newspapers and leaflets distributed through chambers and Passport offices, the ministry said the violators have to pay the necessary fees for the correction process.
“In case of final exit during the correction period (which ends on July 3), expatriates will be exempted from the fees of residence permit, work permit, penalties and fines associated with the violations,” it said.
Expats declared huroob (runaways) or those whose residence and work permits have expired, can correct their status by returning to work with the current employer or transferring their services to another employer.
Huroob domestics and those with expired residence and work permits are allowed to correct their status. They can also work for private enterprises.
Enterprises shall be allowed to modify professions of their expatriate workers, regardless of the class of the enterprise and its activities through the Labor Ministry’s electronic services during the grace period without any charge.