12 February 2013
The Directorate of Passports is currently studying the possibility of detaching the expatriate section from the directorate and placing it under the Ministry of Interior.
The move aims to reorganize the activities of the expatriate administration so that the administration becomes capable and well equipped to take effective steps in eliminating the menace of expatriates working illegally for employers who are not their sponsors. According to the directorate, this category of workers is a major factor contributing to the commercial cover-ups that adversely affect the national economy and impede employment opportunities for Saudis.
"The passports directorate has established a special committee and will be supplying the committee with all the necessary details about the size of the expatriate population in the Kingdom, tasks of the expatriate administration and the staff strength of the administration," Al-Watan daily reported quoting an informed source.
The committee that undertakes the study comprises representatives of the expatriate administration, the National Information Center, the Directorate of Public Security, and other concerned departments within the Interior Ministry.
It is the task of the expatriate administration to collect information and statistics on foreigners living in the Kingdom apart from analyzing such statistics and submitting new recommendations on the improvement of the formalities and services related to expatriates affairs. The expatriate administration also participates in the implementation of policies and recommendations related to Saudization, in addition to monitoring the implementation of regulations, which prevent expatriates from engaging in jobs that are reserved for Saudis.
It also co-ordinates the activities of departments responsible for dealing with expatriate issues.
The Directorate of Passports is currently studying the possibility of detaching the expatriate section from the directorate and placing it under the Ministry of Interior.
The move aims to reorganize the activities of the expatriate administration so that the administration becomes capable and well equipped to take effective steps in eliminating the menace of expatriates working illegally for employers who are not their sponsors. According to the directorate, this category of workers is a major factor contributing to the commercial cover-ups that adversely affect the national economy and impede employment opportunities for Saudis.
"The passports directorate has established a special committee and will be supplying the committee with all the necessary details about the size of the expatriate population in the Kingdom, tasks of the expatriate administration and the staff strength of the administration," Al-Watan daily reported quoting an informed source.
The committee that undertakes the study comprises representatives of the expatriate administration, the National Information Center, the Directorate of Public Security, and other concerned departments within the Interior Ministry.
It is the task of the expatriate administration to collect information and statistics on foreigners living in the Kingdom apart from analyzing such statistics and submitting new recommendations on the improvement of the formalities and services related to expatriates affairs. The expatriate administration also participates in the implementation of policies and recommendations related to Saudization, in addition to monitoring the implementation of regulations, which prevent expatriates from engaging in jobs that are reserved for Saudis.
It also co-ordinates the activities of departments responsible for dealing with expatriate issues.
© Arab News 2013
