What is Huroob/Matloob in Saudi Arabia?

Huroob:

• If a worker stays away from work without permission, refusing to work, or runs away from the sponsor, the sponsor can report him to the authorities as huroob (runaway/absconding).
• A worker reported as huroob becomes illegal and loses his legal rights, salary dues, service benefits, etc. and his iqama, insurance, bank account, etc. gets cancelled, cannot work and will be unable to leave the Kingdom except through Tarheel (Detention Centres).
• Huroob status can be checked on the Ministry of Labour website.
• A huroob worker is liable to be arrested by police and will be detained in Tarheel (Detention Centres) pending deportation if there are no criminal cases or pending claims against him. A huroob worker deported through Tarheel is liable to pay fine of SR10,000/- and will be banned for 5 years from returning to the Kingdom.
• Deportation centres process exit visa for those huroob workers who are to be deported.
• Indian Embassy/Consulate officials regularly visit Tarheels and facilitate issue of Emergency Certificates to Indian nationals who are to be deported.
• A huroob worker who is matloob, cannot leave through Tarheel.

Matloob:

• A worker could be reported to the authorities by the sponsor for any criminal activity or damages caused and the worker is then declared matloob (wanted). An expatriate wanted for criminal offenses or having outstanding loans and fines, etc. could also be made Matloob by the concerned authorities.
• A Matloob person is barred from leaving the Kingdom and is liable to be arrested and jailed.
• A Matloob person must report to the concerned police station for investigations and only after completion of the judicial process/removal of matloob by the sponsor/concerned authorities that he will be able to return home. If found guilty, he will have to undergo punishment. If however, there are private rights (i.e. pending claims, compensation for the damages/losses caused by the accused), then even after completing the punishment (jail term, etc), the accused person will not be allowed to leave the Kingdom until the private rights claims are settled.
• In case of sponsors falsely reporting workers as huroob/matloob in order to harass/avoid paying dues,etc. it must be immediately reported to the Ministry of Labour helpline 19911.
• The Indian Embassy/Consulate may be contacted for advice/assistance in all such cases.