India said on Sunday it will send a government minister to Saudi Arabia to try to bring back more than 10,000 Indian workers who are facing a “food crisis” because they are unable to afford meals after being laid off from their jobs.
Low oil prices have forced the Saudi government to slash spending since last year, putting heavy pressure on the finances of local construction firms which rely on state contracts.
As a result, some companies have been struggling to pay foreign workers and have laid off tens of thousands, leaving many with no money for food let alone for tickets home.
India’s Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday said over 10,000 Indians in Saudia Arabia and Kuwait were facing a “food crisis” because of economic hardships, while appealing to an estimated 3 million Indians living in Saudi Arabia for help.
“Large number of Indians have lost their jobs in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The employers have not paid wages, closed down their factories,” she tweeted on Saturday.
One of the country’s two junior foreign ministers, V.K. Singh, will travel to Saudi Arabia next week.
Swaraj said on Saturday that India’s other junior foreign minister, M.J. Akbar, would take up the issue with the authorities in the two Middle Eastern countries, saying the government was monitoring the situation on an hourly basis.
So there are over 10 lakhs in indians in Saudi Arabia Suffering? I think this is a step in the right direction
10,000 muslims suffering, not 10 lakh, U think Saudi will risk losing their largest oil importer to iran
After 56 inch chest Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia…this is happening loooool….some Indians were saying Saudi Arabia leaving Pakistan for India….Indians think they are the super powers…they are living in fools paradise
if is not visit Saudi, they will get missile babhu.
Yeah if people face problems there then its good step to save people. Saudi Arab make some strict law for foreign work now and very difficult to work there.
Comments are closed.