Director of Residency and Borders: Legal prosecution and strict fines for anyone who harbors or assists runaway domestic workers
Brigadier General Dr. Saed Al-Qatawneh, Director of the Residency and Borders Department, warned during a Public Security Radio interview that anyone who shelters a runaway domestic worker or provides her with housing or employment—whether paid or unpaid—will face legal prosecution and fines under the law.
اضافة اعلان
He stressed that investigations will target anyone proven to be involved or complicit in the escape of domestic workers from their employers’ homes, including recruitment offices, intermediaries, or individuals providing housing or alternative employment, noting that all such individuals will face legal accountability and severe financial penalties.
Al-Qatawneh explained that recent amendments to the Residency and Foreigners Affairs Law have increased penalties. Article (11) now requires any foreigner wishing to stay in the Kingdom for more than two weeks to register their residence and personal details with the Residency and Borders Department or a local police station. The fine for violating this requirement has been raised to 200 dinars.
He added that Article (14) of the same law imposes a 200-dinar fine on anyone who harbors or provides accommodation to a foreigner, with or without payment, without notifying the authorities within 48 hours of the person’s arrival or departure.
The Brigadier General further emphasized that legal responsibility also extends to anyone who helps domestic workers escape their workplaces or provides them with shelter or new employment without reporting it within the specified timeframe. Authorities will investigate their whereabouts during the escape and hold accountable anyone found to have been negligent or complicit.
He affirmed that these measures are part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal practices and protect community security, stressing that the Public Security Directorate will not tolerate any violations by individuals or entities proven to have sheltered or employed runaway domestic workers.
Al-Qatawneh also noted that there is close coordination with the Ministry of Labor, the agency responsible for handling domestic worker escape cases, as part of joint efforts to reduce such incidents and identify those involved.
He further highlighted cooperation with the Association of Recruitment Office Owners, which is committed to maintaining the integrity and reputation of licensed recruitment offices by monitoring and reporting any offices found to be complicit in escape cases or violating labor regulations.
