Come back to India: Swaraj to laid-off Indian workers in Saudi

New Delhi, Aug 21 (PTI) External Affairs Minister SushmaSwaraj today appealed to the Indian workers, who have losttheir jobs in Saudi Arabia, to file their claims for unpaiddues with their employers and come back home soon and said thegovernment will bear the cost of their return. "Indian workers in Saudi Arabia – please file your claimsand return home. We will bring you back free of charge. "When Saudi Government settles with the Companies whichhave closed down, your dues will also be paid," Swaraj said ina series of tweets. She said that settlement of claims will take time and thatthere was no point in waiting in Saudi Arabia indefinitely. Earlier this month Minister of State for External AffairsV K Singh Singh had rushed to Saudi Arabia after large numberof Indian workers sought Indian government’s intervention intaking up their difficulties with the Saudi authorities. He had also gone to Saudi Arabia last week to resolve thematter. The Saudi government, then, had agreed to swiftly resolveplight of the laid-off Indian workers including providing themfree passage to return to India and clearing their unpaiddues. Thousands of Indian workers have lost their jobs due toslowdown in Saudi economy, triggered by low oil prices and cutin spending by the government. The Indian government had requested the Saudi authoritiesto give the unemployed Indian workers exit visas without NoC(No-Objection Certificate) from employers and also urged it toclear the dues of workers who have not been paid for months,whenever they settle the accounts with the companiesconcerned. As per rules, no foreign employee can leave the countrywithout NoC by the employers. The Saudi government also agreed to allow transfer ofIndian employees, who have lost their jobs, to any othercompany within Saudi Arabia. As per rules, foreign employees cannot change jobs withpermission of the company where they were employed. PTI MPBNSA