RIYADH — Thousands of bodies of expatriate workers remain in hospital mortuaries in the Kingdom awaiting repatriation.
Mortuaries in the country received 5,555 bodies of expatriates last year, of which 1,791 bodies were either repatriated or buried while 3,764 are still lying in various hospital morgues, Al-Eqtisadiah daily reported, quoting a forensics department official.
Ali Bawazeer, head of the deceased affairs at the forensics department in Riyadh, accused many businesses of the delaying arrangements for the repatriation of bodies of workers who died while under their sponsorship. He pointed out that regulations call for halting any visas for businesses that do not cooperate the with authorities for the speedy repatriation of bodies.
He added that businesses are granted two months to complete procedures for the deportation of bodies. Bawazeer said the costs of embalming, which amounts to SR3,000, coffins and air tickets are borne by the sponsors.
source Saudi Gazette
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