Most of these overstayers entered Saudi Arabia using their working permit visa then ran from their employers while some others entered using their "Umrah" (Muslim?s Pilgrimage) visa who then work illegally, said the Information, social and culture consul at the Indonesian Consulate in Jeddah Cahyono Rustam, in an email to ANTARA received here Wednesday.
The Indonesian overstayers consisting of 1504 adults, 26 children and 42 infants were repatriated using the Hajj empty flights, so it does not interrupt the Hajj flight`s schedule and rotation.
Mass repatriation is also a form of implementation from the Indonesian and Saudi Arabian government on overstayers handling held in Yogyakarta October 4. 2011.
Saudi Arabian government agreed to provide a limited amnesty such as not to impose fine and to assist an easy exit permit process for the overstayers.
Previously on October 23, 2011, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry`s official Mohammad Ahmad Thayeb and Jeddah immigration chief held a meeting with 32 Indonesian overstayers representatives.
In the meeting, Mohammad Ahmad Thayeb asked the overstayers not to violate anymore regulations, because it can damage bilateral relationship among the two Muslim populated countries.
"As a Muslim, you must not violate any country and faith`s law," he said.
These overstayers were accommodated in a shelter funded by the Saudi Arabian government before they are sent home, while the Indonesian Consulate prepared for their special travel documents
According to the Consulate`s information, almost 95 percent of them do not have any identification and legal travel document or passports.
With this mass repatriation effort, it is possible that there are still many Indonesian overstayers who enjoy working in an overseas country illegally.
A050/B/H-NG/F001
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
