External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday said that the Government is making efforts to bring back 41 Indian sailors stuck in four merchant ships at Ajman in United Arab Emirates.
41 Indian sailors hailing from Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, employed in four merchant ships in the UAE, are reportedly stranded after being abandoned by their owners at Ajman anchorage in UAE. News reports claimed that two of the vessels are leaking and are facing the danger of sinking. Reports claimed the owner of the ships has seized their passports and was untraceable. The sailors tweeted that they many among them have not been paid for 15 months.
Swaraj said the Indian Embassy in UAE has been asked to ensure that the sailors get essential supplies even as Government makes efforts for their release.
“We have contacted the Captains of the two vessels, Ship owners, port authorities and the Government. They have essential supplies for next two weeks. We are helping in the settlement of their dues and release of the crew. I have asked the mission to ensure that Indian sailors do not suffer for want of essential supplies,” Swaraj tweeted.
Swaraj said her ministry is also working to bring back Indians stranded in Iraq while urging itizens not to overstay in that country . “I have received the report from Iraq. The number is not 500 but much less. We have repatriated 52 stranded Indian workers. We have requests from 4 more. All stranded workers should approach our Consulate in Erbil. We request Indian workers not to overstay. The penalty is $6000 in each case. Please approach the Consulate for repatriation,” she tweeted.