ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has taken up the matter of non-payment of dues to its citizens in Dammam with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Labour and Social Development, the Foreign Office said on Monday.

Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said efforts to resolve problems faced by Pakistani workers in Dammam are underway.

“Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh are making every effort to resolve the difficulties being faced by Pakistani nationals, working for Saad Group of Companies in Dammam, due to non-payment of [their] dues,” he said.

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The non-payment of dues by the Saad Group of Companies has affected 8,000 employees from different nationalities. At least 500 Pakistanis are in employment with the company, who are stationed at three different locations.

Zakaria said that the Pakistan Embassy is in contact with the employees and has taken up the matter with the Government of Saudi Arabi through their embassy in Islamabad.

“The Pakistan Embassy representatives have paid several visits to Dammam to meet the Pakistani workers and raise the matter with the company’s management,” he added.

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Zakaria said that the company’s management has assured the embassy that efforts are underway to resolve the matter. “Since some workers have filed cases with the labour court, the company is awaiting court’s verdict.”

The embassy is also assisting the Pakistani workers who have filed cases with the court and its representatives have met with the judge of the relevant court, seeking an early resolution to the dispute.

“Foreign Office and Pakistan embassy in Riyadh are making relentless efforts to ensure that Pakistani nationals are paid their dues and are able to return to Pakistan if they desire so,” Zakaria said.