Saudi Arabia issues stern warning for expatriate workers

Saudi Arabia has issued a fresh and stringent warning for expatriate workers from Bangladesh and other countries, regarding strict compliance with labour laws. Authorities have made it clear that violating the terms of a valid work permit, either by working independently or without proper authorisation, will result in severe legal consequences.

According to a report by Gulf News, the Saudi Ministry of Interior has called upon foreign workers to strictly adhere to the kingdom's laws on residency, labour, and border security. The ministry noted that working independently outside the employer designated on the work permit is a clear violation of the country's labour regulations .

Under the new directives, penalties will escalate based on the severity and recurrence of the offence.

A first-time violation will incur a fine of SAR 10,000. Committing the same offence a second time could lead to a fine of SAR 25,000 and up to one month in prison. For a third or subsequent offence, the penalties will be even harsher: a maximum fine of SAR 50,000, imprisonment of up to six months, and eventual deportation upon completion of the sentence.

This warning from Saudi authorities underscores the need for Bangladeshi and other expatriate workers in the kingdom to be more vigilant in following the conditions of their work permits and designated employers.