Quran complex denies Saudi Oger contract renewal after 1,300 dismissed

Troubled construction firm Saudi Oger has not renewed a contract to run a Quran printing complex where more than 1,000 of its workers were recently dismissed.

Local media reports suggested the company had won a new contract to run the King Fahd Holy Quran Printing Complex for the next five years.

However, the secretary general of the complex, Dr Mohammed Salim Al-Awfi, has now denied this, according to Arab News.

“The news about the awarding of the contract of the complex is incorrect. The previous contract with Saudi Oger expired on Dul Hijjah 2, 1437, corresponding to September 3, 2016,” the official was quoted as saying.

“Hence, the company’s relations with the complex, based on the signed contract, has ended.”

Six companies were said to be bidding for the contract.

Last week, more than 1,300 Saudi Oger contractor workers at the complex were served termination notices, according to Saudi Gazette.

Read: 1,300 Saudi Oger workers cut at Quran printing complex

Those dismissed were described as not having been paid for months, similarly to the firm’s wider workforce.

In August, Saudi Oger was said to owe $800m of unpaid allowances and end of service benefits, as well as dues to financial subcontractors and banks.

Read: Saudi Oger owes $800m to workers, banks – reports

Separately, hundreds of Pakistani Saudi Oger workers were reported to have flown home last week without the salaries they were owed by the company.

The Saudi government has promised to help workers of firms in financial difficulties to switch jobs or return to their home country and send them their unpaid dues at a later date.

Read: Hundreds of Saudi Oger workers fly home with unpaid dues