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'New Saudi labour law not to affect genuine workers'

  •   Mon, Apr 15 2013 08:47:45 AM

Berlin, Apr 15 (PTI): India has ruled out any impact on genuine workers in Saudi Arabia as a result of the Kingdom's new labour policy, saying that only illegal immigrants will be affected by the 'Nitaqat' law.

Minister of External Affairs Salman Khurshid, who accompanied Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Germany earlier this week, said here that genuine workers need not worry as the new Saudi law will impact only those who do not have proper work permit.

The new labour law 'Nitaqat' 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. The Saudi government was implementing the Nitaqat law to cut unemployment in the country.

Khurshid said the new law was not just for Indians and it would also affect thousands of illegal immigrants from countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

Khurshid has said Indian workers play an important role in Saudi Arabia's economy and the Kingdom's authorities recognise this.

Removal of illegal immigrants will open the doors for genuine workers, he said. Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi is also expected to visit Saudi Arbia to convey India's apprehension about possible job losses to the 2 million-plus strong Indian community due to the new labour law that seeks to reserve 10 per cent jobs for locals.

Last month, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamad, who was in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, to attend the Asian Development Dialogue, had met Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Saudi vice minister of Foreign Affairs, and conveyed the anxiety and concerns of India on the issue.

The Prince assured Ahamad that Saudi will always give the best consideration for Indians working in the Kingdom and values its very cordial relations with India.

  

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Comment on this article

  • peace lover, India

    Mon, Apr 15 2013

    According to Saudi labor law, any expat who doesn’t work for his sponsor is called as Illegal. These people are holding valid resident permit and entered the kingdom with a valid visa. But the sponsor who provided the visa doesn’t have any job and allowed them to work outside with an agreement to pay him back part of his hard earned money. There are thousands of sponsors depend on the money received from so called illegal expats for their livelihood. One of my friend recently paid SAR 14000 (IAR 2 lacs) to his sponsor to renew his work permit for two years. This amount is almost 50% of his two years income.
    The government is keen to send back the expatriates by labeling them illegal, but what will happen to these thousands of sponsor, who depend on these illegal expats for their bread and butter.
    In last one year the landlords have increased the rent of the apartments by 35-40%, and construction is in boom. What will happen to these buildings, currently occupied by expats?
    No doubt government must provide jobs for their citizens. Ample job opportunities are available, and nobody is stopping them to work. But if they don’t want to work, then nobody can help them.

    DisAgree Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • GERALD , modankap

    Mon, Apr 15 2013

    why india so insecure with regard to his Human resources !! why cant we use the same workforce in our infrastructural works !!

    Also, there are so many nationalities ( illegal immigrants) who are settled down in our country !! how about them !!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • saleem, Uppala / Dubai

    Mon, Apr 15 2013

    good move from the saudi Govt.Illegal emigrants always threat to the country - Robbery , other criminal activities carried out by these illegals , so there will be better opportunity for the skilled worker - Even in UAE also this law implimnted lomg back -

    DisAgree [4] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Wilfred Crasta, Bela/Abudhabi

    Mon, Apr 15 2013

    Good that Saudi Govt. clearing illegal workers. There are lot of opportunities in India. For those illegal workers, they have to pay for Visa, visa renewal, vacation(exit-Re-entry), monthly fees to sponsor, Medical etc. After all these expenses, hardly anything will remain.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse


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