Abdulaziz Al-Suwayed

Al-Hayat

Several months have passed since fees were imposed on the dependents of expatriate workers, something that has forced many workers to take tough decisions regarding their families and whether to allow them to remain in the Kingdom. Many have sent their wives and children to their home countries while others are planning to do the same at the beginning of the new year, as fees will be doubled and they face the prospect of increased financial burdens.

A large number of expatriate workers have sent their families home and have moved into smaller apartments after selling their furniture. Usually, three or four expatriate workers rent a small apartment and share the rent as a way to save money. It is expected that many companies may lay off expatriate workers who have spent many years in the country because the companies will not be able to pay them their salaries. We hope that the General Authority of Statistics releases data about the economic impact of the large number of expatriate workers who will be laid off.

Until not so long ago, the Kingdom had been the perfect workplace for expatriate workers, as it did not impose taxes, something that allowed expatriate workers to save money. Those who left the Kingdom in the past and travelled to another country looking for better income often regretted the decision because they could not save money the way they had done when they were working in the Kingdom.

We need a study that evaluates the impact on the economy of the fees on the dependents of expatriate workers. There are three categories of expatriate workers: workers of whom we are in dire need, workers whom we need and workers whom we do not need and who will not have any economic impact on the country if they decide to leave the Kingdom. The statistics will give us a clear idea about the economic impact of the expatriate dependents fees.