Illegal migrant workers in Saudi Arabia have an amnesty till July 3, 2013 to leave the country. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD: In a bid to keep hundreds of Pakistanis, who are running foul of Saudi Arabian rules for migrant workers, the Pakistani mission has started a “job fair” for workers to find them work in order to stay in the Kingdom.
Many Pakistanis who have been in Saudi Arabia for work as irregulars, are facing expulsion. However, the Kingdom introduced an amnesty scheme for such workers to leave the country without legal prosecution. The scheme ends on July 3, 2013.
On Thursday, the foreign office spokesperson during the weekly briefing said that diplomatic missions in the oil-rich nation were facilitating expats to regularise them or help the illegal workers leave. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to provide all possible assistance to Pakistani Diaspora in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere.”
“111 companies have been registered with the Embassy to provide possible employment to Pakistanis affected by the Saudi policy”
The process, the spokesperson said, has been successful and interviews for workers for various categories are being conducted at the Embassy in Riyadh almost everyday with 65 irregular workers finding employment.
Over 1,500 passports issued
In addition to finding employment for irregular workers, the Pakistani mission has issued 1,575 emergency passports.
As many as 10,705 out passes have also been issued to the workers.
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Are Pakistanis not Arabs? I cannot digest the bifurcation of two words, Pakistani and Arab.
This is what sovereign and caring governments do for their citizens. Keep it up please, these steps will make Pakistanis proud of their governments and national spirit will prevail
Out passes to 10,705 Pakistani irregular workers were issued in addition to 1575 emergency passports.
The figure of Pakistanis workers who will be returning back to Pakistan after July 03, 2013 is much more that those of 65 irregular workers finding jobs every day.
Why 111 companies registered with Pakistani Embassy in Saudi Arabia could not absorb all the irregular workers who are sending money from Saudi Arabia to their family members in Pakistan.
The sooner irregular workers will be deported from Saudi Arabia, the rate of unemployment will be increased in Pakistan.
@Falcon: It's not the first time. I have always found the pakistani missions abroad very helpful, unlike government departments at home.
Finally, the Pakistan government is actually taking care of it's own citizens and letting them have some dignity.
Hearing something positive and practical being done by a Pakistani mission abroad for the first time