Saudi vows ‘urgent’ action for stranded Indian workers

Saudi Arabia has promised “urgent” action to resolve the plight of some 2,500 Indian workers stranded in the kingdom after construction layoffs.

Labor Minister Mufarrej al-Haqbani issued orders to allow the Indian workers “to immediately transfer their kafala (sponsorship) and renew their residencies,” the Okaz daily reported on Wednesday. Haqbani’s orders also ease restrictions on workers leaving the kingdom, Okaz quoted ministry official Abdullah al-Alyan as saying.

Alyan’s announcement comes as India’s minister of state for external affairs V.K. Singh arrived in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah Wednesday, after New Delhi said it was negotiating to repatriate thousands of migrant workers who have lost their jobs and were left with no money to return home.

(With AFP)