The decision was taken by Riyadh Governor Prince Khaled bin Bandar.
The deadline has been extended until June 9 (Rajab 30, 1434H) in order to assist businesses such as banks, money exchangers, gold and jewelry shops, vegetable markets and public service offices to rectify the status of their workers and employ the required number of Saudis.
Expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia, including Kannadigas and Keralites have welcomed the extension of Saudization programme deadline.
According to highly placed sources, governors of other regions may also take a similar decision to boost businesses, attract investors and contain the rise in the prices of goods and services.
However, in his directive Prince Khaled instructed officials to intensify inspection of targeted firms after the grace period, to ensure they employ the adequate number of Saudis.
The new inspections will target 11 sectors, namely banks, holding companies, private schools, real estate offices, public service offices, gold markets, catering, vegetable markets, shops selling household items, Hajj and Umrah offices as well as used furniture markets.
Meanwhile, Hattab Al-Anazi, spokesman of the Labor Ministry, said he was not aware of the decision taken by the Riyadh governor. “I came to know about this through media but I cannot confirm or deny it immediately,” he said. In a previous statement, Al-Anazi had said that no exceptions would be made in case of any institution in the campaign to drive out illegals.
The nationwide campaign not only affected thousands of expatriate workers but also hit businesses. Many foreigners in some firms have not been attending work and many shops run by expatriates have been closed.
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