Illegals in Saudi Arabia thrive despite raids

Illegal expatriates continue to operate stalls in various parts of Jeddah's commercial areas despite the labor raids over the past five months, citizens claim. These expatriates run stalls in Al-Alawi, Al-Nada and Al-Sahifa districts, and near the gold markets in Qabel Street, they say. Mohammed Rizk, a 65-year-old businessman, who has operated several gold shops in Qabel Street for years, said many illegals were exploiting consumers in the area. He said citizens no longer want to run businesses in the area because of poor regulatory oversight, and illegal expatriates dominating the market. He called on government to intensify its inspections in the area. Hamid Al-Ansari, the owner of several fabric and menswear shops in Al-Alawi and Al-Nada markets, said that young Saudis do not want to work at these historic and popular markets downtown because of the proliferation of foreign workers, and lack of government monitoring. Mohamed Saber, an Egyptian national, said the market was not restricted to a particular class, and was open to anyone looking to make money. Fatima, a Filipino national, said the roads and sidewalks in the downtown markets were ideal places to sell goods and earn money. She said government inspectors do raid these areas from time to time. Hussein Tarish, a Yemeni and owner of a gum and incense stall in Al-Alawi market, said most expatriates rent shops from Saudis to operate their businesses for about SR1,500 to SR2,000 a month. Atef, a Sudanese national, said that Saudi youth would only work in these areas if the government cleans them and improves working conditions. Abdulaziz Al-Ghamdi, spokesman of the Jeddah Municipality, told Arab News that inspectors monitor the markets periodically. They have closed down 300 stalls this year, he said.   Arab News