Even though Kerala government exhibited utmost concern about the reported imminent exodus of Keralite expatriates, who are working in Saudi Arabia without valid employment or visa documents, expatriate workers in Kingdom from poll bound Karnataka have been deprived of a proper representation. Most of the Kannadiga expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia are from three coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada.
In this back drop Coastaldigest.com delegation along with Mangalore MLA U T Khader and Udupi-Chikmagalur MP K Jayaprakash Hegde, is expected to meet senior ministers and top officials of Indian embassy to pressurize them to take up the issue with their counterparts in the Kingdom.
Coastaldigest.com also urges the Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahmed, who are on Saudi visit to discuss the issue with Saudi Labour Minister Adel Fakieh.
Meanwhile, Indian diplomats in Saudi Arabia have rushed to Damam province, where Saudi labour ministry officials have conducted raids to detect illegal workers.
The Indian embassy in Riyadh has been reportedly directed to post additional staff in Damam to assist Indian workers who are being scrutinized by the local authorities.
Mr U T Khader has said that India wants the Saudi government to adopt a humanitarian approach so that workers are not punished or penalised.
The Saudi government says the 'nitaqat' system is meant to boost employment for locals in the private sector.
Around two million Indians are working in various capacities in Saudi Arabia. Under the new law, private companies are required to provide 10 percent jobs to locals.
This will affect around 300,000 Indians, mainly from Kerala, who are enganged in semi-skilled jobs in the Kingdom.
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