Ministry Of Interior Reports 21,477 Violations Of Residency And Labour Laws In One Week

Between January 30 and February 05, the Ministry of Interior carried out inspection campaigns across Saudi Arabia. These efforts aimed to ensure adherence to residency, labour, and border security laws. The inspections uncovered 21,477 violations in total: 13,638 related to residency, 4,663 concerning border security, and 3,176 involving labour laws.

During these inspections, authorities intercepted 1,316 individuals attempting illegal entry into the Kingdom. Among them, 40% were from Yemen, 58% from Ethiopia, and the remaining 2% from other nationalities. Additionally, 77 individuals were apprehended for trying to leave the Kingdom unlawfully.

The Ministry has detained a total of 37,120 expatriates as part of enforcing regulations. This group includes 33,547 men and 3,573 women. Of these detainees, 28,661 have been instructed to contact their respective embassies or consulates to secure proper travel documentation. Meanwhile, 2,919 individuals have been advised to arrange their departure bookings.

Furthermore, authorities arrested thirteen people for their involvement in transporting, sheltering, or employing violators. The Ministry has warned that facilitating illegal entry or providing assistance to such individuals could result in severe penalties. These penalties include up to 15 years in prison and fines reaching SAR1 million.

The Ministry successfully repatriated 8,733 expatriates who violated laws during this period. Those detained are undergoing procedures necessary for enforcing regulations. The Ministry emphasises that vehicles used for transport or houses used for sheltering violators may be confiscated as part of these enforcement actions.

The Ministry categorises these acts as major crimes warranting arrest. It urges citizens to report any violations by calling designated numbers: 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions; and either 999 or 996 elsewhere in the Kingdom.

With inputs from SPA