Riyadh: Saudi Arabia on Wednesday agreed to swiftly resolve plight of thousands of laid-off Indian workers including providing them free passage to return to India and clearing their unpaid dues after Union Minister V K Singh apprised the Saudi government about the humanitarian crisis.
The Minister of State for External Affairs held extensive talks with Saudi Labour Minister Mufrej Al Haqbani here who promised urgent action to resolve the difficulties being faced by around 7,000 Indians, most of whom are living in camps after losing their jobs due to economic slowdown in the oil-rich Gulf country.
The Saudi government also agreed to allow transfer of Indian employees, who have lost their jobs, to any other company within Saudi Arabia.
Singh arrived here on Wednesday to assess the situation and finalise modalities to bring back the stranded Indian workers who even do not have money to buy food.
As per reports, the Labour Minister issued orders to allow the Indian workers to immediately transfer their sponsorship (kafala) and renew their residencies. Under the kafala system, which is applicable to foreign workers, employees are not allowed to move to a new job without approval of their bosses.
"We discussed all the issues related to Indian workers. It was brought out that the problem is because of one company which has not provided the humanitarian facilities as per the law of the land.
"The government of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has taken serious note of this lapse and have taken immediate action to ensure that all camps where Indian workers were staying are provided facilities like medical, food, hygiene and sanitation," Singh said, describing his meeting with Haqbanias "very good".
Satisfied over Haqbani's response, Singh said he was thankful to the Saudi government for "very positive action and maganimous attitude".
Singh said Saudi government is also providing free passage to all those who want to go back to India and that they will also honour the claims filed by workers against the companies which have defaulted their payments.
"They have also agreed to allow transfer (of employees) to any other company within Saudi Arabia. Necessary action is in hand by the embassy of India to prepare suitable lists for filing claims as well as for people to go back. I am thankful to the Saudi government for very positive action and magnanimous attitude exhibited," Singh said.
Thousands of Indian workers have lost their jobs due to slowdown in Saudi economy, triggered by low oil prices and cut in spending by the government.
Currently, a total of 7,700 affected Indian workers are living in 20 camps. The Indian mission has been providing food to the Indians who cannot buy it.
Saudi Arabia's Okaz daily quoted labour ministry official Abdullah al-Alyan as saying that "immediate and urgent action" was needed to resolve the issues of 2,500 Indian workers from Saudi Oger company.
Ahead of Singh's visit, the Indian embassy in Riyadh had launched an initiative to collect details of the Indians laid off by their employers so that those wanting to return home can be sent to India.
The Indian government had requested the Saudi authorities to give the unemployed Indian workers exit visas without NoC (No-Objection Certificate) from employers and also urged it to clear the dues of workers who have not been paid for months, whenever they settle the accounts with the companies concerned. As per rules, no foreign employee can leave the country without NoC by the employers.
Making a statement in Parliament on Monday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had said the workers will be brought back home, asserting that not one of them will go hungry.
"Not one worker of ours will go hungry. This is my assurance to the country through Parliament. We will bring all of them back to India," she had said.
