Saudi authorities have taken immediate action against an expat worker after he called out a Saudi employee for not showing up to work.
This came after an image of a sign the worker had put up at Sun and Sand Sports, a retail store in the kingdom, went viral on social media early on Tuesday.
The sign read: "Saudi cashier on duty absent on this shift," and sparked fury among nationals on social media.
The backlash eventually led to the kingdom's Ministry of Labor and Social Development to ban the expat from ever working in Saudi Arabia again.
In his statement on the matter, the ministry's official spokesman, Khaled Aba Al Khail, said the retail store will also be held accountable for the matter.
The sign angered Saudi tweeps
Many were upset by it
"Why did he have to mention that the absent worker is Saudi?"
"Some expats are a great addition to this country, others are the opposite"
"With their racism, negative actions and bad intentions."
People had called on authorities to take action against the expat
"To the Ministry of Labor, this person must be held accountable for his actions, so that he becomes an example for others."
And were relieved when they eventually did
"He deserves more, him and every expat who disrespects nationals or attacks this country, its government or people."
Not everyone attacked the expat though
"He just told the truth, he didn't offend anyone at all."
Some thought the entire incident was just blown out of proportion
"This isn't offensive to the employee. I don't know what's happening to people these days."
And raised this important point
"Since racism is upsetting and can lead to strict punishments, why isn't action taken against those who are racist towards expats? It's something we often see on social media and in our daily lives, or do you not consider them human beings who have rights?"
"Everyone is against racism, but that should be without exceptions"
"Labeling him 'Saudi' is hurtful, racist and hateful but 'foreigner, Indian, Bengali, Egyptian, Yemeni,'.... are kind, classy, respectful."
The store where the incident happened has since issued an apology
In a tweet they uploaded amid the intense backlash, the store's management apologized over the sign, explaining that it was an "individual act that doesn't reflect the company's values."
The tweet also added that the retail company "respects Saudi Arabia and is against racism in all its forms."