Saudi Arabia Reports Over 19,500 Violations Of Residency And Labour Laws In One Week

During a series of inspection campaigns conducted in Saudi Arabia from December 4 to 10, the Ministry of Interior identified 19,576 violations related to residency, labour, and border security laws. These included 12,506 residency infractions, 4,154 border security breaches, and 2,916 labour law violations.

Authorities apprehended 1,418 individuals attempting illegal entry into the Kingdom. Among them were 41% Yemenis, 57% Ethiopians, and 2% from other nationalities. Additionally, 24 people were caught trying to exit the Kingdom unlawfully.

The Ministry of Interior highlighted that anyone facilitating illegal entry or providing shelter or transport to violators could face severe penalties. These include up to 15 years in prison and fines reaching SAR1 million. Confiscation of vehicles and properties used in these activities is also possible.

A total of 30,427 expatriates are currently undergoing procedures to enforce regulations. This group includes 28,718 men and 1,709 women. Meanwhile, authorities detained 21,803 individuals for regulation breaches and instructed them to contact their embassies or consulates for travel documents.

Furthermore, officials advised another group of 5,202 individuals to arrange their travel plans. In addition to these measures, a total of 12,365 people have been repatriated during this period.

Public Awareness and Reporting

The ministry stressed that such acts are major crimes warranting arrest. It urged the public to report any violations by calling specific numbers: 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions; or 999 and 996 elsewhere in the Kingdom.

In total, authorities arrested 16 people involved in transporting or employing violators. The ministry's efforts aim to ensure compliance with Saudi Arabia's residency and labour laws while maintaining border security.

With inputs from SPA