Bangladesh would welcome any lawful action the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia takes against its workers staying there illegally on expiry of the extended amnesty, a top official said on Sunday.
Expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment secretary Zafar Ahmed Khan told New Age that Bangladesh expressed its gratitude to KSA for the generous six-month amnesty it provided to legalize illegal workers from Bangladesh and other countries.
Nothing can be done for the workers who failed to avail the amnesty, which ended on Sunday, to change their status, he said.
The Saudi government had, he said, extended the amnesty once following requests from Bangladesh and other worker sending countries.
Until Sunday, when the extended amnesty expired, around seven lakh Bangladeshi workers got themselves legalized taking consular services from the Bangladesh embassy in Riyadh, Zafar said.
And approximately 50,000 Bangladeshi workers returned home on out passes until Sunday, he said.
A substantial but unknown number of Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia are likely to face stern crackdown set to begin on the expiry of the amnesty, anticipate manpower bureau officials.
Since 1976, over 26 lakh Bangladeshi workers took employment in Saudi Arabia, they said.
An estimated 15 lakh Bangladeshi workers are working in Saudi Arabia now, they said.
On Thursday, Jeddah daily Arab News quoting Saudi labor ministry official reported that over 1,200 inspectors, both male and female, would raid companies, markets and public places across the Kingdom from Monday to find out the illegal workers and their mentors.
Quoting Abdullah Abu Thunain, undersecretary for inspections, they daily reported that accompanied by security personnel the inspectors would check the validity of workers’ residency cards and their professions.
Repeat violators could face fines up to Saudi Riyal 100,000, two years in prison, or both. (source)