Saudi authorities impose sanctions against self-employed expatriates

RIYADH, March 25 (YPA) -Saudi Arabia imposed tougher penalties against expatriates who violate the country’s “sponsorship” system and attempt to be self-employed.

Saudi Public Security posted a statement on Twitter account, confirming that the expatriate who works for his own account will be punished with a fine of up to 50,000 riyals ($13,000), imprisonment for up to 6 months, as well as deportation.

In the statement, the Public Security called on all citizens to report violations against the regulations of residence, work and border security.”

Gulf states have the kafala, or sponsorship system, in which workers follow their employer who keeps their passports and cannot move without his permission.

The kafala system stipulates that every foreign citizen working in these countries must have a local “sponsor”, whether an individual or a company, and an expatriate must obtain the sponsor’s permission to change jobs or leave the country.

Saudi law punishes “anyone who is found to have employed expatriates who violate regulations, or to let his workers work for themselves or for others, or to employ other workers, without following the prescribed statutory rules.”

E.M