Hyderabad: Around 24 Indians from different states, including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are stranded in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. They were promised skilled jobs of plumber, fitter, mechanic etc by their agents, but once they got to Riyadh, the only jobs they got were in housekeeping and gardening.
Though they want to return to India they cannot do so until they pay 12,600 riyals (around Rs 2.26 lakh) to the Kafil (owner) they are working with.
K. Karthik of Srikakulam, one of those stranded in Riyadh, said he is suffering from high fever and jaundice. The men have been given a small room and toilet by compatriots who have come to their rescue, but they have no money and no work.
Chand Pasha, an activist working for NRIs, said, “If people are getting employment visas then there won’t be any problem. If there is a problem then the organisation will take care of them and the licensed agency will be sealed. Also, the Saudi government will stop the agency from working. But if people are taking direct visas from the country with the help of their friends and relatives, then it is illegal. It is known as Azad visa.”
He said if someone goes to a Gulf country with the help of an agent or an agency, and after landing there doesn’t get the job promised, then he can inform his relatives over here and the police can take action against the agency.
“In this case of 24 persons, there was a representation given to Telangana NRI affairs minister K. T. Rama Rao and he asked for all the details. Despite submitting the details there is no response from the ministry,” Mr Pasha said.
Several such representations on migrant issues have been made to the government, Mr Pasha says, but “not a single issue has been taken seriously.”
