By Amnah Khalid,MMN,
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 29 Nov 2014 : Frantic calls for help has brought to light the plight of 44 Indian workers in Saudia Arabia. They have contacted desperately, their families in India, Indian Embassy, local politicians, Indian media and even put a video of themselves online on social media, that has gone viral and brought support and attention. They finally got support in action from President AMU Alumni Maharashtra Chapter Mr. Tanweer Alam. He is now heading a dedicated campaign to bring back the workers home with compensation.
The workers mainly from UP and Bihar got jobs to work for a Saudi company on paying hefty sum to several New Delhi based agents . They had arrived ten month ago in the kingdom only to be outsourced to another company that paid them only for five months. All payment stopped since July and their food allowances too were stopped bring them to great misery and mental torture. They tried to negotiate unsuccessfully with the company and job agents since they are already heavily indebted to get their present jobs but were left to their fate. Having no recourse left, they filed a case in Saudi court to gain compensation and through an order got seven of their colleagues freed to seek help to get back home.
The Indian embassy in Jeddah has stepped forward now and negotiating with the company to resolve the matter. They have since made arrangements for the wellbeing and food of the 44 workers. The owner of the Saudi company in question too has shown interest in settling the matter by paying for their air tickets but not compensating their salary. For now the workers have to put their trust in the Saudi Judicial system and support of the Indian government in resolving such Labour law cases considering reciprocity in extradition and respect for each other’s court orders.