Saudi Binladin Group has reportedly agreed to pay the salaries of 10,000 of its employees in May, following a string of protests over alleged late-payment of wages.
Last week the group was said to be laying off 77,000 foreign workers and circa 17,000 Saudi nationals as it battles cashflow issues related to the loss of a reported billions of dollars as a result of the fatal Makkah crane crash last year.
The group has around 217,000 employees in total, and many are allegedly waiting for at least four months’ worth of wages.
Abdullah Al Alyan, director-general of the Ministry of Labour’s Makkah branch, told local media in Saudi Arabia that the construction group would pay salaries owed to around 10,000 of its employees this month.
He also said that the company will complete the transfer procedures of around 16,000 employees who have transferred their sponsorship to other national companies within 24 hours, according to Arab News.
Al Alyan was quoted as saying: “The workers of Binladin Group enjoy good work experience and skills that qualify them to immediately join the labour market. This will save many companies recruiting costs should they wish to employ them.”
A total of 69,000 employees have been dismissed by the company, added Al Ayan.
Saudi Gazette last week cited company sources as saying Saudi employees have been told to “quit or wait” for an additional two-month salary package on top of delayed payments. But the source did not say for how long those staff would have to wait.
The company’s dues have reportedly reached more than SR4.8 billion ($1.2 billion) payable in 2017, and a further SR595 million ($148.6 million) payable in 2018.
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