Swaraj to Indian workers in Saudi: ‘File claims, return by Sept 25; we’ll bring you back for free’
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday urged Indian workers retrenched by three Saudi companies to return to India latest by September 25 after filing their claims.
In a series of tweets, she said that those who do not return by September 25 will have to arrange for their accommodation, food and return tickets to India on their own.
Sushma Swaraj said that Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh visited Saudi Arabia twice to solve the problems of the distressed workers and was now back in India.
“My advice to workers who have been retrenched by the companies is that they should file their claims and return to India,” she tweeted in Hindi.
“When Saudi Government settles with the companies, the worker's claims will also be settled,” she said in a separate tweet in English.
Sushma Swaraj also said that processing the claims was a lengthy procedure and hence it would not be proper for the workers to stay back waiting for the same.
After the retrenchment of the Indian workers by Saudi Oger, Saudi-bin Laden and Saad Group, the Saudi authorities have offered to facilitate speedy repatriation of those seeking to return home or to assist those wishing to relocate.
Indian workers who have lost their jobs should file their claims and return by 25th September. We will bring them back free of charge./2
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 23, 2016
Those who do not return by 25th September will have to make their own arrangements for boarding, lodging and return journey. /4
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 23, 2016
When Saudi Government settles with the Companies, the worker's claims will also be settled. /3
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 23, 2016
Swaraj’s announcement comes after the minister’s August 1 announcement that the government will take care of the needs of all 10,000 workers who had lost their jobs and were fighting starvation at the end of July in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
(With IANS inputs)
