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.
After paying negotiated fine amount to Saudi Telecom Company, judge Saad Al Garni who is chairing the probe into the case, had recently ordered the release of three of the four prisoners - Riyaz Bajpe, Fairoz Ullal and Nasir Bunder.
Comments
Shame on u ppl, rather than being happy for the release of one of our brothers u r blaming each other and some organisation...because of this attitude ur community never unite....specially mangalorean mentality is so cheap never understand anything n don't want to improve as well....shame on u negative thinkers... always remember think good...be good....do good....
I know Nasir personally when he was growing up in Bunder, Jumma Masjid road. He is a victim of social pressure we beary community put on our young men. Only measure we use is financial accomplishment of men and not how they get there. Young men are subjected to keeping up with jones syndrome where money is required to get there. Dowry system (Unislamic) and lavish wedding expenses primarily drive this. Beary's are moving away from Islam and clinging on the material life. The religious leaders don't speak up against this as they are gaining from this materially.
I wish Nasir all the best and may Allah provide him endurance to deal with the stigma.
@ shaukath, what was happening people don know the fact dey speak wrongly, we have worked on it so they know the truth, u can inquire about me, am working in jubail k, give me ur full contact details and i will tell u who is liars.....
Some PFI and IFF supporters always start their comment with a lie: \i am not a PFI or IFF supporter.\" Lairs are never trustworthy."
Am not a member or supporters of IFF , I want to tell the fact wat actually happened, 13 years dey were in jail first 7 years all were scared to contact dem nor legally contacted for the release , since last 5 years IFF followed the case and legally hired a lawyer to fight the matter in court , as it was huge amount IFF requested Althaf ullal to join hands to collect funds and he took responsible to arrange funds as required, but it was not so easy to convince business men in this matter and finally approached and funds were almost done and IFF contributed Good amount also, by giving money matter is not solved, IFF done great work for further formalities to release of this three guys, U can ask donors if wat said is not true .....
As per my knowledge, IFF did not spend a single penny in this cause. many NRI businessmen in Saudi Arabia paid a huge amount of money. CD boss also paid money for their release. but CD report did not mention that in the report. Only IFF wants publicity. Now it is obvious that u want name and not reward. dont worry. Allah will fulfill your niyyah!
Dear All,
why CD has to support IFF, My humble request to CD is not to support these kind of organizations, you will regret at the end if you support these Jahils, you people first learn the basic of the Deen, your keeping muslim youth from learning basic of their deen and busying them in other activities which are no use in this world and in hereafter.
Alhamdulilh !! Masha Allah!May Allah give Hafiya & Hidaya to brother Althaf Ullal & Suhail Kandak & all other subordinates
Dear all please don't request to CD to Mention IFF name, All know who is behind this case, Insha allah, Allah will give all rewards for those who work behind this case
CD is always against IFF all know this.they only publish 1 minister's update even if he dance !!!!!!!!!!!
also CD will not Digest IFF name !!
Alhamdulillah, Welcome back home Nasser.....
Everyone knows who is behind this noble yet coastal digest has failed to publish the name of it. Don't know the reason but one thing is don't be biased on publishing news.
Why these type of reports ! CD should mention IFF for their great Effort !
Dear Respected Readers and Wellwishers indeed its a good thing that those guys are out of Jail and reached their home safely alhamdulillah. Let me clarify you one thing that, The Guy who took this initiative before 8 years in jeddah to release these people is Mr. Suhail Kandak, who is In Mangalore now days. Even he worked very honestly behalf of those guys. So lets not forget his contribution too in this case. As well as donors who supported. Thanks
Great news masha ALLAH ...
how come this Article miss the name of India Fraternity Forum ..they are the one behind this case from last 6 years, really a great dedication & efforts, finally they archived with the help of kind hearted business peoples, Hats off to IFF effort & contributed business icons.
#6@ shamusuddeen,we can unreasteand your mind ,clean your heart and say alhamdulillah..
How IFF are ready to help tainted people, even I was asking them earlier to help some tainted people they refused and they said that we are not helping hand to tainted people, something is fishy in this matter.
Masha Allah great News. BOTH OF THEM IFF AND BUSINESS CAN DO ANYTHING , THIS IS THE RESULT. MAY ALLAH BLESS WITH HIS MERCY BOTH OF THEM IN FUTURE CASE IF ANY.
Good work by IFF and Donors who helped these guys to come out of the jail. May Allah bless you all. Keep go on doing such good social work we will be there with you.
Good news. May allah bless the NRI businessmen for their noble work. Really it will inspire others.
I request with coastal Digest please mention IFF name because i heard that IFF is behind of them for walk free from jail
May Allah bless the NRI businessmen, who helped these poor guys to come out from the prison. It is the real Ibada /prayer, which takes us to Jannah!! Definitely they will get the reward for such good deed!!
Add new comment