Another law seems to be coming in Saudi. This time it is about the illegal expats in the Saudi. Expats who are illegally staying in the Kingdom will leave only after they pay up their dues.
It is not a bad move and will help to put a stop to illegal residents who owe money and yet leave the country without paying. The money due includes those outstanding amount owed to sponsors, or stolen or any other obligations the expat may have. The sponsors may also settle any amount due to the workers.
There are many cases where sponsors abuse the expats, ignoring their rights or simply treat them badly. This reflects badly on local sposors and agents as the main issue seems to be the money. Once the worker pays his dues, then he does not exist anymore to the sponsor.
Two years ago a plan was underway to improve the skills of the Saudi’s overseas service by enabling them to be trained in diplomatic skills, research as well as international issues. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been requested to set up an online service so that Saudi operations in Asia and Africa can seek help from the ministry.
Better facilities and improved developments are in the near future plans. So all looking good so far. Hopefully the rights of poor expats/workers will be recognized.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Saudi and World Cup 2010
Now that the World Cup season is upon us, it is normal to see football signs everywhere; from billboards to media advertising, heck even on soft drinks and snacks. Business people make use of this time to market their products with football themes.
To add to that, tourism industry do their best to benefit. The assistant general manager of the entertainment center at Serafi Mega Mall says that several programs will be launched to attract customers and tourists. They are charging SR20 for the entrance. Big screens of 103-inches, will display the matches. Saudi families and especially the youths love watching these matches at the malls where they can relax, eat and enjoy the games with friends.
The Mall has arranged two large halls accommodating 250 people each. Even though Saudi Arabia is not in the World Cup matches, this does not pale the enthusiasm nor reduce the excitement in any way. The football mood of youths will no doubt be different to the families so a separate youth entrance has been set up. Families enter through the normal gates.
At events like this, it is quite normal to see to security issues. Needless to say a lot of safety issues are taken into consideration to ensure that nothing disastrous happens. Single men may not be allowed to enter so as to avoid any silly incidents.
Although most of the malls around the country will provide big screens and entertainment for the customers, many may not allow youths to enter in order to maintain a subdued audiences and to avoid any kind of problems that might ensue due to excitement.
Since the Ministry has not set any prices, some coffee shops have not set a price as yet, just waiting to see what would the standard fee be. Some may even offer free viewing on large screens outside of the shops. Chamber of Commerce, Jeddah has said that no prices are fixed and cafes have a right to increase prices.
It is true that customers and tourists will be a business boom for the malls and shops but to set up an appropriate environment, gigantic screens, decors, seating, food and other things necessary will be added cost. Of course all these will be covered up in no time if the people find the area comfortable and secure.
The last World Cup that Saudi Arabia has participated was in 2006 in Germany. The country has played every event since 1994, USA.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Marriage Contracts Amended
After so many years of people, especially people from the West, complaining of marriage of underage girls, it has finally come to the limelight in Saudi Arabia. The reason seems to be on par with other Arab and Muslim countries.
In Islam, the girl has to consent to the marriage in order to it be valid. So what happens now to all those marriages where the girls were just too small and the men were just too old? Was their marriages invalid? It is hard to judge.
According to recent report, the new marriage contract will prevent marriage of underage girls. Human Rights people are thrilled by this news, hailing it as a positive move. Recently, the case of a man in his late fifties married a girl of eight. A lot of public attention was focused on this case which may have pushed the authorities to make changes in the marriage contract.
The new contract has now been distributed to the marriage officials so it would take effect immediately. The amendment is only a section asking for the bride’s age. Previously this part was not there as it was assumed the girl to be above the minimum age of seventeen.
I can understand what make parents to sell off their daughters to older and wealthier men. It does not mean that parents want this to happen. Maybe they are in abject poverty and at the same time it must be killing them to hand over their daughter to an older man. All parents have dreams for their children and for that dream to come to this nightmare must be really hard on them. Now why can’t the groom wait and think for a moment. Is he doing justice? Is it fair for the girl and how can he even think that girl, who could be like his granddaughter, will be his partner. They are mentally not on the same level, their interests are as different as night and day. So what is left? Only the relationship? What does that say about the groom.
If the groom is really thinking about helping the poor parents, why not help financially, with him being rich and all. Why not donate money and get his share of rewards? If is looking after the future of the little girl, why not take care of her and her parents until she is old enough to get married and then marry her off to one of his grandsons?
The mind boggles!
In Islam, the girl has to consent to the marriage in order to it be valid. So what happens now to all those marriages where the girls were just too small and the men were just too old? Was their marriages invalid? It is hard to judge.
According to recent report, the new marriage contract will prevent marriage of underage girls. Human Rights people are thrilled by this news, hailing it as a positive move. Recently, the case of a man in his late fifties married a girl of eight. A lot of public attention was focused on this case which may have pushed the authorities to make changes in the marriage contract.
The new contract has now been distributed to the marriage officials so it would take effect immediately. The amendment is only a section asking for the bride’s age. Previously this part was not there as it was assumed the girl to be above the minimum age of seventeen.
I can understand what make parents to sell off their daughters to older and wealthier men. It does not mean that parents want this to happen. Maybe they are in abject poverty and at the same time it must be killing them to hand over their daughter to an older man. All parents have dreams for their children and for that dream to come to this nightmare must be really hard on them. Now why can’t the groom wait and think for a moment. Is he doing justice? Is it fair for the girl and how can he even think that girl, who could be like his granddaughter, will be his partner. They are mentally not on the same level, their interests are as different as night and day. So what is left? Only the relationship? What does that say about the groom.
If the groom is really thinking about helping the poor parents, why not help financially, with him being rich and all. Why not donate money and get his share of rewards? If is looking after the future of the little girl, why not take care of her and her parents until she is old enough to get married and then marry her off to one of his grandsons?
The mind boggles!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Good news for Egyptians
Good news for Egyptians. Their country’s airline can now land in Jeddah seven days a week. The first plane carried around 160+ passengers and landed in the morning 5 am. The news appeared in Arab News today.
The service between Egypt and Saudi is in accordance with the open air and it will help low income passenger and at the same time assist in tourism projects. Apparently this service was started to meet the demands and soon Abha and Qassim will be added as destinations. Well the good in this is that, despite the dispute between Egypt and Saudi aviation authorities, the service has started, showing that the disagreement is not so critical.
King Abdul Aziz International Airport is receiving 21 flights a week and will be increased to 56 during Haj seasons.
The service between Egypt and Saudi is in accordance with the open air and it will help low income passenger and at the same time assist in tourism projects. Apparently this service was started to meet the demands and soon Abha and Qassim will be added as destinations. Well the good in this is that, despite the dispute between Egypt and Saudi aviation authorities, the service has started, showing that the disagreement is not so critical.
King Abdul Aziz International Airport is receiving 21 flights a week and will be increased to 56 during Haj seasons.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
