Saudi- Riyadh fair helps expatriates to connect with employers

(MENAFN- Arab News)  More than 23,000 workers and some 600 Riyadh-based companies participated in the five-day job fair that concluded at the Riyadh Convention and Exhibition Center here yesterday. The event, dubbed "Job Status Correction Fair," was organized by the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI). Hasson Saleh Al-Hasson of RCCI told Arab News that the fair, organized and conducted with the help of the embassies of India, Bangladesh, Egypt and the Philippines, was highly successful. Pakistan took part during the last two days of the event, he added. He said the fair was organized to assist expatriates seeking employment before the July 3 amnesty deadline. "We gave the interested parties an open platform to resolve their issues under the amnesty scheme," he said, adding that the RCCI was glad to help expatriates as well as private sector companies. He said that if the amnesty is extended, the chamber would hold another fair to accelerate the recruitment process. He said that the RCCI distributed 15,000 bottles of water free of charge to the visitors during the show. "We also supplied beverages to help visitors refresh themselves during their long stay in the exhibition center," he added. The private sector companies that were looking for workers were from contracting and construction companies, private establishments, fast food outlets, maintenance companies, restaurants and offices. Al-Hasson said there is a heavy demand for workers such as carpenters, masons, steel fixers, plumbers, electricians, heavy equipment operators, construction workers, accountants, mechanical, civil and electrical engineers. Embassy officials from the participating missions counseled the expatriates who needed guidance in their transfer of sponsorship. However, Philippine workers complained that their mission was not properly represented at the fair. Indian and the Bangladesh missions attracted a large number of visitors. Their officials were present throughout the event to help workers in every possible manner. "Over 8,000 people visited the Indian pavilion and more than 500 major Saudi companies participated and conducted on-the-spot interviews and hired many Indians," Surinder Bhagat, second secretary for political affairs and commerce, said yesterday. He added that during the week around 2,000 Tanazul related cases were attended to. "The event attracted Saudi companies from such places as Hail, Taif, Jubail and Dammam," he said. Amr Emad Al-Najdi, labor officer at the Egyptian Embassy, said some 200 companies visited the Egyptian stall and hired more than 1,000 workers in all sectors, mainly skilled workers. Pakistan Ambassador Muhammed Naeem Khan thanked the RCCI for the opportunity given to the distressed workers. He said a large number of Pakistanis negotiated good jobs. He added that an extension to the amnesty would help all expatriates, who could not complete their formalities under the scheme. Endadul Haque, labor counselor at the Bangladesh Embassy, said 50 companies on average visited his pavilion each day during the event. "Around 12,000 Bangladesh expatriates visited the pavilion and many of them were able to negotiate jobs with participating companies."