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
Swetha and Srilatha, you both need treatment along with education to read the story and understand, nothing will materialize by just barking
In the film boy and girl from different communities can do all types of romance and they can show to the whole world, where is a respected and fast money making business.
But in the real life even just saying Hello is a big crime.
Everyone should take care of their every such action.
This is India.
ITS NOT A SECRET THAT HALF OF THE POLICE OF KARNATAKA ARE CHADDIS & ARE WAITING FOR ANY OPPORTUNITY TO POUNCE ON MINORITIES.
SRILATHA / SWETHA,
Please visit Jacqueline & Smrithi and talk to them & then JUDGE. They are saying they left on their own will. We know cheddi police who target the innocent either from Muslims or DAlits.. & if we believe this police story who deceived people many times.
When we accept such made up news - I think animals are better than humans.. cos humans just rely on false news and accept whatever said in the media without VERIFICATION...
Ahmed Nisar must learn a lesson here. Dont make friends if U dont know them personally... Tomorrow cheddi police will target U for having friends with strangers who may have illegal activities.
Grow up boys stay away from girls who are illegal to you according to islamic laws..\every parts of your body will speak as evidence on day of judgement \"may allah guide all youths to straight path ameen."
@ SWETHA CHINNAPPA ...
SRIILATHA
IF UR BROTHER IS TORTURED FOR NOT INVOLVED ISSUE WHAT WILL BE UR ACTION, TAKE OUT THE SAFFRON CHADDI FROM UR EYES FIRST..
EVEN GIRL CAME BACK AND TOLD THEY WENT ON THEIR OWN WISH
i think the name of the accused police officers should be named in this article....
would also like to know wat the MLAs are doing on this case..... they seem to be busy in only ribbon cutting, attending marriages, going to charity association function in gulf
Police brutality deplorable and condemned. Where is the Muslim Central Committee and Mr. Masood look into this matter.
Totally Misguided, we cant see any hit mark on his body, police should interrogate everyone with whom they get know involved in this. girls reached home safely thank god, if this girls did not return to the house this same person will be protesting everywhere, so please media allow police to do their job, let him face it for whatever he did.
this guy should be punished extreme this s not enough. why he wants to chat with girls knowing the situation in mangalore.
Poor guy, He digged his own grave, keep away yourself from girls.
whats wrong with this police, in india no freedom to talk to girls. serious action must be taken against police.,
nowadays its dangerous to talk to girls through social media, and this boys also cant make them away instead of knowing the fact.
Dear Nisar and all the Muslim youths,
Does your RELIGION allow you to join any groups with girls other than your relatives?
\Then, verily! Your Lord - for those who do evil (commit sins and are disobedient to Allah) in ignorance and afterward repent and do righteous deeds, verily, your Lord thereafter, (to such) is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful\""
Add new comment