Saudi newspaper al-Watan, citing unnamed sources, reported that the group has terminated the contracts of 50,000 workers - apparently all foreigners - and given them permanent exit visas to leave the kingdom. The paper said the workers refused to leave the country without getting paid and some had not received wages for more than four months. They were protesting in front of Binladin's offices in the country almost daily, the paper added.

Binladin has been discussing how to manage its debts with banks and a few have agreed to refinance some debt through steps such as extending maturities, with some providing short-term financing for the company’s working capital including staff wages, banking sources had said.