Saudi Arabia’s budget airline flyadeal has launched flights to Karachi, introducing two weekly services between Madinah and Karachi.
The low-cost carrier of the Saudia Group inaugurated the route on Sunday, with its first flight from Madinah arriving in Karachi.
The service will be operated using an Airbus A320neo aircraft equipped with 186 all-economy-class seats.
Each seat features either USB-A or USB-C charging ports, while the aircraft also offers spacious overhead bins and mood lighting.
Madinah is now the second Saudi city, after Riyadh, to be connected with Karachi through flyadeal’s international network. With the launch of the new service, flyadeal’s network between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia has expanded to seven routes.
In a separate development, Important details have emerged regarding end-of-service benefits for Pakistani employees working in Saudi Arabia. According to the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE), employees in Saudi Arabia are entitled to different financial benefits upon completion of their employment, depending on their length of service.
According to the BEOE, employees are entitled to benefits equivalent to half a month’s salary for each completed year during the first five years of employment. After that, they are entitled to benefits equivalent to one month’s salary for each completed year of service.
According to the report, employees who have completed between two and five years of service are entitled to benefits equivalent to one-third of a month’s salary for each year, while those who have completed between five and ten years of service are entitled to benefits equivalent to two-thirds of a month’s salary for each year.
The Bureau of Emigration has clarified that if an employee is dismissed due to an unlawful action or violation of the law by the employer or sponsor, the worker will be entitled to the full end-of-service benefits payable under the relevant laws.
According to the BEOE, Saudi Arabia has clearly defined laws governing the rights and employment of foreign workers. In certain circumstances, if an employer fails to pay wages on time or assigns work contrary to the employment contract, the employee is entitled to legal protection and may terminate the employment under specific conditions.
The report states that an employment contract may end upon completion of its agreed term. Employment may also be terminated if the business permanently ceases operations.