Amid the lockdown imposed due to the deadly coronavirus, the Saudi government has barred its companies from firing Pakistani workers for the next three months. The decision was taken on the request of Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari.
According to the press release issued by the government authorities on Tuesday, Saudi Vice Minister for Labour and Social Development Dr Abdullah bin Nasser assured Sayed Bukhari that the Saudi firms would not expel the Pakistani workers during the next three months and pay them salaries during the period. “The Saudi government would also ensure full payment of dues to the already laid-off workers,” he added.
The Saudi minister also announced free of cost extension in the visas of Pakistani labourers till December. The statement noted that both the countries discussed the issues faced by the Pakistani manpower in Saudi Arabia in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The SAPM asked the Saudi vice minister to ensure facilitation to the Pakistani workers in every possible way.
The Saudi vice minister also informed the PM's aide about his government’s decisions to extend the entry and exit visas of Pakistani nationals and free of charge services for transfer of remittances to Pakistan through STC pay. Upon learning this development, Sayed Bukhari expressed his gratitude for the cooperation extended by the Saudi government in the times of crisis.
According to the press release issued by the government authorities on Tuesday, Saudi Vice Minister for Labour and Social Development Dr Abdullah bin Nasser assured Sayed Bukhari that the Saudi firms would not expel the Pakistani workers during the next three months and pay them salaries during the period. “The Saudi government would also ensure full payment of dues to the already laid-off workers,” he added.
The Saudi minister also announced free of cost extension in the visas of Pakistani labourers till December. The statement noted that both the countries discussed the issues faced by the Pakistani manpower in Saudi Arabia in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The SAPM asked the Saudi vice minister to ensure facilitation to the Pakistani workers in every possible way.
The Saudi vice minister also informed the PM's aide about his government’s decisions to extend the entry and exit visas of Pakistani nationals and free of charge services for transfer of remittances to Pakistan through STC pay. Upon learning this development, Sayed Bukhari expressed his gratitude for the cooperation extended by the Saudi government in the times of crisis.