The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday set September 25 as the deadline for Indian workers who have lost their jobs in Saudi Arabia to return home free of cost. Workers have been asked to file their claims and return India immediately without waiting for the money by the stipulated date.
“@Gen_VKSingh visited Saudi Arabia twice to resolve the problems of Indian workers rendered unemployed due to closure of companies there. My advice to all such Indian workers is that they should file their claims and return home by 25th September 2016. We will bring them back free of charge. Those who do not return by 25th September will have to make their own arrangements for boarding, lodging and return journey," Swaraj said in a series of tweets.
Ever since the workers’ crisis emerged in Saudi Arabia, the Indian Government has made several interventions to provide relief to those who were left without food and shelter there. 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. The three worst affected companies are Saud Oger, Saudi Bin laden and Saad group.
Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh had rushed to Saudi Arabia twice to resolve the matter after large number of Indian workers sought government's intervention in taking up their difficulties with the Saudi authorities.
Swaraj had earlier on Sunday too asked Indians to return asserting that settlement of claims will take time and that there was no point in waiting in Saudi Arabia indefinitely.