According to the Saudi media outlets, the battling Saudi construction giant Binladin Group is under way to retrench 77000 foreign workers from different projects. One of the largest construction company in Gulf and in Middle East employed 200000 (two hundred thousand workers).
Saudi Binladin Group has lost billions since the government refused to grant it additional contracts after last year’s crane crash in Makkah that killed 107 people, for which the firm was found partially responsible, according to a local media report on Monday.
The censure of the company had included a review of existing projects and a ban on travel for several members. This had placed the company in a precarious position, which resulted in them not being able to pay workers in Makkah and Jeddah, with 77,000 layoffs reportedly taking place, according to several reports.
A source quoted by a local newspaper has claimed the company has had 77,000 final exit visas issued for expatriate workers.
The construction giant confirmed to AFP that some staff have been let go, but gave no numbers.