The unexpected lockdown to prevent spread of covid–19 has caused a serious damage to the lives of Indian expatriates irrespective of laborers and entrepreneurs in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Different stories of expatriates' ordeals are emerging from the region.
Abdul Razaq, hailing from Udupi in Karnataka has been running small scale business at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, based on oil refinery projects of the government. He was undergoing medical treatment for his cancer which is in fist stage. He explaines his ordeals caused by lockdown and stopping the flight facility.
“I was regularly visiting home country for the treatment of cancer. Now I cannot go as international flight service has been stopped. I expect that government will hear problems of expatriates and will arrange facilities to take us back to home”, he said.
Mubeen from Bengaluru was working on temporary basis for a company in Jubail. He had lost his jobs like some of his colleagues due to the lockdown.
“As everything was alright, I had brought my parents recently to Saudi Arabia on a visit visa. Things changed drastically with covid-19 attack. Continuous lockdown caused burden over the company and they removed temporary employees like me to control possible losses” he said.
“Now owner of the flat has been harassing me for the rent. I do not have money either to pay rent or to cover daily family expenses. I do not know what to do further”, he added.
Iqbal from Mangaluru left for Saudi Arabia to help his family. He got a job in a juce centre in Dammam recently. Corona lockdown made his life difficult. He is eager to return his home country.
“I came to Saudi Arbia because of financial difficulties as I had not found any job with good salary there. I thought I can earn well by going to Saudi Arabia. However, here too the salary was not so good. Now juice center is closed due to lockdown and sponsor is giving very small amount of money as salary through which we cannot afford our expenses and our families back in home,” he said.
“Here It is not easy get help of fellow Indians since most of them have their own ordeals. I would like to return home country; there however we can manage to get help of friends and relatives. I am looking forward the help of Indian government to start air facility for stranded NRIs,” he said.
Mohsin from Mysuru is a taxi driver in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. He was earning on commission basis. Now Saudi government banned movement of taxis in the region, which pushed him and his fellow taxi drivers into trouble.
“We were earning commissions daily on the basis of trips. Now we cannot move outside with taxi since it may cause us to pay the fine of SR.10000. How can I manage my expenses and family members in home?”, he asked.
There are cases of pregnant women who have to return India for delivery. Those who brought family here on visit visa will not have insurance. Delivery charges and any kind of medical facilities without insurance in Saudi Arabia is very expensive. Expatriate Indians with such problems are awaiting government's help.
“I had brought my wife on one year visit visa. Now she is pregnant and I have to send her back to home for delivery. If lockdown continues, it is difficult to send back and we have to spend big amounts for delivery without insurance. It is a big burden to me as I work for small salary in a company”, said Yunus from Hyderabad, who is living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Lockdown is haunting even entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia. Most of expatriates in the industrial hub of Jubail are doing business based on Saudi Government’s oil refinery projects. Saudi Arabia temporarily stopped most of the projects as part of public health safety measures to maintain social distance.
“We are doing business based on oil refinery projects. Now projects are stopped. We brought around 1100 people on work permit visa on temporary basis. And also, we have around 1200 permanent workers. It is a big burden to provide them with food, accommodation and salary. It may cause a big loss for our company”, said owner of expatriates company, Sheikh Mohammed.
Saudi Arabia had reported first corona virus affected case in March 2, 2020. At the end of March, it was 1600 and now it already corssed 6000. Saudi Health ministry has cautioned the number of affected people may rise 10000 to 200,000 and directed for more precautionary measures. In such case, the Indian expatriates may have to face crisis in the region.
Indian expatriate organizations are demanding for immediate intervention of Indian government to ensure better quarantine facility and treatment of NRIs in Saudi Arabia as the cases are increasing rapidly. The condition of laborers in some of the camps are such that seven to eight people should share a single bed room.
“Normally if there is a flat, it will consist three to four bed rooms. In single bedroom companies will provide three four bunk beds and six to eight people should share the room. In such cases, if a person affected with virus it will spread quickly to others. Thus, Indian government should ensure quarantine facility for NRIs”, says Wasim Rabbani, president of Indian Social Forum, Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia.
President of Karnataka Non Residential Indians, A forum for the NRI organizations of Karnataka, Zakaria Muzain says Indian Government should immediately interfere to bring back those stranded NRIs who wish to return home. Government should intervene to pressure Indian embassy to take the issues of troubled expatriates.
“Government should make special flight arrangement for such NRIs in trouble. It should also arrange quarantine facility for those who return to India. Already there are many Non-Governmental charity organization which have come forward to give their facilities for NRIs”, he said.
NRIs from all categories are looking forward for the help of Indian government. It is important to Indian government to take quick action as the problem is increasing in Saudi Arabia.
Comments
Salute to such Gurus (teachers), who giving the youth real path and message of peace and harmony. JAI HIND.
\ SHAME ON THOSE PARENTS\" who support their chilnder on such kind of protest, for girls covering modesty. Evern those parents may support their childern/goons if they protest for girls NOT wearing mini skirt ?"
Manjunath
Before banning college. Remove hijab from sita matas, durgas idols.
Karan singh and mahesh. Sita mata used to cover her body, which is called hijab in arabic. We all respect her. I think ur going against sita mata.
Who the hell are these goons to tell us what to wear, what to eat.
One day they will tell to wear only saffaron chaddi.
Mother therasa used to wear hijab. Even sita mata used to wear hijab . . These people cannot be called as hindus. Worst than ravana.These people don't have problems with sunny leone dress. Sorry no dress.
Its good to see, that not everybody thinks the same way.. just wondering.. do these people come to college for education for better future or just to see who is wearing what.. who is talking to whom.. come-on guys dont spoil your future and become puppets of politicians.
Karan Singh, you ______.....
Mahesh and Karan singh .... If you disturb the peace in the society, both of you will face the same fate , as of Rama sena leader Jayant Naik who has been expelled ( Gadipar ) from the UK district .... try your luck ....
LET THE GOONS WEAR SAFFRON BIKINI.
will wear saffrom loongi and shawl,
its their wish to wear it, let them wear it, why u making small issue an big
ban this college!!!
All Praise is to Allah , The Lord Of The Worlds
Dear Mr. Well Wisher Riyadh, brother Totally shirk in islam clearly mentioned in Quran, Wearing a non Muslim traditional Dress in Islam.
student please Concentrate on your studies, because in bajrangdal all are jobless and uneducated.
this principle gone mad, he wants to fight with our any situation will not allow hijab inside the college.
principle will c u soon. big protest will take place
Dear Brother K K. Acharya,
You have said well. We need more people like you from your community to talk fairly and boldly.
May God bless you Sir.
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My dear Hindu brothers and sisters,
Try to learn at least few basics of few main religions around us.
First of religion means the way of our daily life from cradle to grave.
- Therefore the life to be lead as per the commandments of God but not as per our individual wish.
- Within the bounds and flexibility of the religion we can have our choices in dress, food and many other parts of life.
- As long as we don't transgress the bounds and norms of commandments of the God, everything is admissible.
The basic teaching of Islam
- Islam has come to this universe as Ultimate and the only Guide for humankind until the existence of this world. The God Almighty says this is the only acceptable religion.
- Therefore all the Muslims have been commanded to convey this religion to everyone, Unfortunately very few Muslims do this job and most of them don't do it. Therefore Muslims are held responsible for failing to do this job of conveying the truth. Muslims will face the consequences for their failure of non-compliance to the Creator's commandments.
- But it is not yet all allowed to IMPOSE BY FORCE.
If the people choose wrong faith, they are solely responsible with their CREATOR.
Very simple and straight command
Stand with the principle...
In hindu religion too its a respect to cover their head. the things is most of the hindus are not following their scriptures... U can see it is still maintained in rajasthan and other areas of northern india...
Dears,
Muslim girls are wearing hijab as a part of religious requirement. No need to make your face red. Simple solution. You wear Red shawl & Hindu girls can wear orange scarf. Muslims will never oppose. Islam is a religion of Tolerance.
Good decision.... allow the goons to wear chaddis, shawl, langotis as they wish ........
Effects of saffron poisoning.
Principal is rocking...well done....
Why the hell you want to ban scarf? Let them wear. What you are going to lose? If you want ask your sisters and mother not to wear. But stop poking nose everywhere. You people are a major threat to peaceful Hindu religion. Hindus are ashamed of these saffron goons.
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