In a bid to allay India’s concerns over the controversial ‘Nitaqat’ labour law, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal on Saturday said “procedures” are being taken in the “best interest of Indian workers”.
The labour law and the ongoing drive to identify workers who are overstaying in the Arab kingdom was one of the main areas of focus during the talks held between external affairs minister Salman Khurshid and his Saudi counterpart.
Besides the controversial law, the two leaders discussed a wide range of regional, international and bilateral issues including energy security, enhanced counter-terrorism cooperation, and the situation in Syria and Iran.
“We discussed ... The procedures taken are in the best interest of the Indian workers,” Faisal said in a joint Press conference after his talks with Khurshid. Explaining further, he said, “Any worker who does not have papers, will be at the mercy of those who brought him here”.
Khurshid, on his part said, “Difficulties that may have risen would have to be addressed and they are being addressed very satisfactorily.” Under the Saudi rules, a person will have to find a sponsor here before an Indian or any other foreigner works here.