As the deadline for the strict implementation of the ‘Nitaqat’ policy in Saudi Arabia is fast approaching, the Saudi government is all set to take deportation centres out of the purview of the Passports Department and link them with the Directorate- General (DG) of prisons in a few days.
The deadline for expatriates without valid work permits to leave the Kingdom ends on November 4.
The number of Keralites returning home remains at an average of 70 on a daily basis, according to the status of returnee registration by the NORKA (Non-resident Keralites’ Affairs), as the GCC country is making its residency norms for foreign nationals stricter.
Total number of Keralites who returned to the state on account of Nitaqat reached 12,937 on October 3.
According to Saudi media, the Director of Public Affairs and Spokesman of Directorate General of Prisons Col Ayoub Hijab Bin Nehait delinking of the deportation centres will start on Sunday and will cover all its branches across the Kingdom. November 3 is the deadline of the programme for companies and businesses to hire more Saudis across a spectrum of jobs.
The Passports Department will continue to complete all the necessary procedures against violators of the residency (iqama) and labour regulations.
According to the new decision which aims to give them wider powers to pursue violators of the iqama and labour regulations and arrest them, the officials of the Passports Department will transfer their functions to the security patrols of Public Security.
The violators will be referred to the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution.
The officers transferred from the Passports Department will begin their duties in all detention facilities wearing uniforms of the Directorate General of Prisons.
The Directors of Prisons in the respective regions will supervise and follow up the delivery of facilities and inform the 13 governorates (the regional administration) accordingly.