Kingdom to hire 30,000 Egyptians for Haj work

They said the Egyptian manpower would consist of drivers and veterinarians among others.

According to the sources, the agreement was reached during a recent meeting in Cairo between representatives of the Saudi ministries of Haj and interior and the Egyptian Ministry of Manpower and Migration.

Delegates from Saudi and Egyptian manpower recruiting companies also attended the meeting.

The sources said the meeting discussed the need for seasonal manpower from Egypt to work during the Haj season and agreed that 80 percent of Egyptian workers to be recruited should have experience working in previous pilgrimage seasons.

Under the agreement, Saudi companies should take good care of the workers while in the Kingdom. The Egyptians will be paid monthly salaries of SR2,000 for three months in addition to travel costs.

The sources said a total of 3,516 Egyptian drivers were blacklisted for various violations during previous Haj seasons. The violations included refusal to work on Arafat day, using buses for own benefit, using drugs and inciting fellow workers to stop work.