New Saudi labour law: States to prepare rehabilitation programme

New Delhi: Concerned over possible job loss to Indians in Saudi Arabia due to a new labour law, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi on Tuesday asked nine states to prepare a rehabilitation programme so that those returning to the country from the Gulf nation get employment. “Nine states, which are having a large number of people in Saudi Arabia, have been called to a meeting today. The states have been told to plan the rehabilitation of the people who may come back,” Ravi said after the meeting. [caption id=“attachment_692781” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi. AFP[/caption] Nine states which participated in the meeting were, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Bihar, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. The ‘Nitaqat’ law makes it mandatory for local companies to hire one Saudi national for every 10 migrant workers. There has been widespread perception that the new policy will lead to denial of job opportunities for a large number of Indians working there. Over two million Indians are currently working in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government was implementing the Nitaqat law to cut unemployment in the country. Ravi said over 3,500 Indian workers have approached the Embassy in Riyadh seeking issuance of Out Pass (Emergency Certificate) to leave the country as they had given their passports to the sponsors. Asked about his proposed visit to Saudi Arabia along with Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed, Ravi said it may take place later this month. Elaborating on the points discussed during the meeting with the state representatives, Ravi said “delay in implementation of law has given us breathing space. It depends on states whether to provide them financial assistance or start some employment programme.” He said the governments would do their best to help those affected by the Nitaqat law. Ravi had said last week that the government would provide air tickets to deserving people who want to come back to India. PTI