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Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez Aal ash-Shaykh, the muftee (one qualified to pass fatwa) of Saudi Arabia and the head of the Council of Senior Scholars and The Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Fataawa has warned Saudi employers in remarks published yesterday against violating employment contracts with foreign workers.

“Blackmailing and threatening (foreign) laborers with deportation if they refuse the employers’ terms which breach the contract is not allowed” in Islaam, Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez Aal ash-Shaykh said in a religious ruling published in Al-Madinah daily.

He also warned employers against refusing to pay the agreed salaries in full or delaying payment under the threat of deportation, saying “this is illegal and a form of dishonesty” in Islaam.

Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez urged businessmen in the Kingdom to refrain from “exploiting and oppressing the weak workers” by violating contracts. “Islaam does not permit oppressing workers regardless of religion. As we ask them to perform their duty, we must fulfill our duty and comply with the terms of the contract,” the muftee said.

His remarks followed complaints by many foreign workers that their employers force them to pay expensive fees for residence permit renewal and the work license as well as their health insurance premium in violation of their contracts.

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Arab News