Police arrest 15,000 illegal expats in Jeddah

JEDDAH: Security forces have arrested more than 15,000 foreign workers during the past few months for allegedly violating the Kingdom’s residency and labor regulations, said Lt. Col. Aati bin Attiyah Al-Qurashi, spokesman for Makkah police. He said the arrested individuals included beggars and street vendors, as well as cleaners of cars on streets. “We have instructed real estate owners not to provide accommodation or shelter to illegal workers in their buildings,” he said, adding that the law’s violators would be punished. He thanked Saudis for their cooperation with security agencies, adding that it had a big impact on the campaign against violators. “The raids to track down violators will continue until the last illegal expat is deported from the country,” said the spokesman, while emphasizing the resolve of security officers and agencies in the region. Al-Qurashi said the violators would be handed over to official departments for punitive action. In a related development, Labor Ministry officials raided several shops in the Eastern Province and found 157 violations, said Hamad Al-Saqour, head of the department of inspections. Officials took action against 130 foreign workers in Al-Ahsa for working for firms other than their sponsors and taking on jobs other than the professions written in their iqamas, as well as residents without identification. “We have closed down 12 shops for violating regulations related to women's employment,” said Al-Saqour. The ministry also carried out raids in Qatif, Jubail and Ras Tannura and recorded a number of violations in the areas.   Arab News