Firms hiring illegal workers face SR100,000 fines, warns Interior Ministry

The Saudi Ministry of Interior has issued a stern warning regarding the employment of expatriate workers, announcing that companies and establishments found in violation of labor and residency laws will face significant financial penalties. According to the Ministry, firms that allow workers to operate independently, work for third parties, or employ individuals sponsored by other entities are subject to fines reaching up to SR100,000 per violation.

Beyond the monetary fines, which are to be multiplied by the number of workers involved in the violation, the Ministry outlined a series of strict administrative measures. These include a ban on the recruitment of new workers for a period of up to five years and the mandatory publication of the offending establishment's name in local media outlets at the owner's expense. Furthermore, the manager responsible for the violation may face imprisonment for up to one year, with expatriate managers facing immediate deportation upon the completion of their sentence.

The Ministry emphasized the necessity of strict compliance with the Kingdom’s residency, labor, and border security regulations. Authorities have called upon the public to assist in enforcement by reporting suspected violations. Residents in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern Province regions are directed to call 911, while those in other parts of the country should contact 999 to report illegal employment practices.