Wide-scale arrest operations of visa violators continue to progress across the Kingdom.
Security forces in numerous provinces have intensified their crackdown on violators.
The central region of Qassim in particular, a province that houses a significant number of visa violators, is witnessing intensified labor raid campaigns, where thousands have been arrested.
Police units continue their investigation in the province to nab violators who had failed to legalize their status during the seven-month grace period.
The areas of Ras and Onaizah are also under scrutiny, in addition to the provincial headquarters in Buraidah, which is also taking part in the campaign.
Villages, including small hamlets, have been subject to police inspection.
Arab News spoke with numerous residents in Buraidah, who said that inspections are being carried out on the region’s roads and also in major market areas in the city.
Iqbal Pullimukku, a prominent Indian social worker, told Arab News that inspection campaigns are being conducted by police personnel up to three or four times a day in some market areas.
Mohammed Masud, another social worker who lives in Ras, told Arab News that, “I have witnessed up to four illegal workers being arrested in our area every day.”
Sources from Buraidah also revealed that tomato production is being affected due to the ensuing shortage of labor and frequent inspections on farms in the region.
Qassim region police nabbed 2,073 labor law violators in the region, according to Capt. Badr Al-Suhaibani, assistant spokesperson of the Qassim Police Department.
Media sources reported that police forces are executing a continuation plan in their campaign to catch illegal expatriate workers in the region.
He also said that shelters and places of accommodation known to harbor undocumented workers have been identified and be visited by police.
The police urged citizens to not shelter illegal workers in order to avoid penalty.
Al-Suhaibani also said that Qassim Governor Prince Faisal Bin Bandar has expressed appreciation of the efforts of security forces to nab violators in the region.
Massive labor inspections, arrests under way in Qassim
