Saudi govt intervenes to help stranded Indian expats, vows necessary action

August 3, 2016

Riyadh, Aug 3: Saudi Arabia today 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.

1indosaudi

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 today 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 Haqbani as "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.

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Comments

Maruthi veethika
 - 
Thursday, 4 Aug 2016

HATS OFF SAUDI ARABIA for its initiatives for INDIAN Expats

Suleman Beary
 - 
Wednesday, 3 Aug 2016

Why Saudi Govt. is not taking action against that one company because that belongs to Son of Late Rafiq Hariri of Lebanon.

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coastaldigest.com news network
May 26,2020

Bengaluru, May 26: The Karnataka government has decided cancel summer vacation for undergraduate and post-graduate students and universities during the 2020-21 academic year in the wake of severe academic loss due to COVID-19 lockdown.

Keeping in mind the loss of academic days due to the lockdown to contain the pandemic, the Higher Education Department has decided to go in for ‘Zero Vacation’. 

The state government decided to cancel all holidays particularly the summer holidays after holding a series of meetings with the Vice Chancellors and other academicians from various parts of the state.

The decision was also communicated during the review meeting of the Higher Education Department held by CM Yediyurappa on Tuesday in Bengaluru.

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News Network
May 18,2020

Bengaluru, May 18: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Monday said that people from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu will not be allowed in the state till May 31.

"We have decided not to allow entry of people from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu till May 31," Yediyurappa said after a meeting with state ministers and senior government officers to discuss the guidelines issued by the Centre regarding the fourth phase of nationwide lockdown.

"State road transport corporation buses in Karnataka and private buses will run. Strict lockdown measures in containment zones and economic activities will be permitted in other areas. Sundays will be total lockdown across the state. Home quarantine will be strengthened," he added.

The Chief Minister further said that all shops will be allowed to open and all trains running within the state will be permitted.

The central government on Sunday extended the ongoing COVID-19 induced nationwide lockdown till May 31, but with a set of new relaxations commencing from Monday. The Union Home Ministry has also given powers to States/UTs demarcate areas in Green, Orange and Red zones, which will allow them to start activities except in containment zones.

According to the guidelines, "all other activities will be permitted except those which are specifically prohibited under these guidelines. However, in containment zones, only essential activities shall be allowed, as mentioned earlier."

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coastaldigest.com news network
February 5,2020

Tumakuru, Feb 5: Former Lokayukta Justice N Santhosh Hegde has questioned the integrity of the B S Yediyurappa led BJP government as it has not taken an action to abolish the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) to re-establish the Lokayukta in Karnataka.

Speaking after felicitating the retired scientist of NASA Gopal Iyengar at the Karnataka Public School at Kadaba in Gubbi taluk he reminded that the BJP had promised to establish the Lokayukta.

"No party will like to strengthen the Lokayukta and now BSY is also tightlipped and even put an end by appreciating that ACB has been doing a good job", he regretted.

In fact, the Lokayakuta had the power to prosecute even the top brass of officials and now the ACB cannot without the government's permission, he clarified.

He denied any remarks on the CAA and NRC but observed that the youths of the country have been misguided by the politicians as they lost their focus on education by involving in protest rallies.

"I suggest they to straight away take a political plunge instead of getting misused at the hands of the politicians with selfish motives", he said.

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