Indian migrant workers in Qatar, saying they have faced problems, including job loss, lack of accommodation and food, have asked on Twitter for their embassy to help repatriate them. One video showed Indian migrants standing in a long line outside the embassy in Doha.
treating Indians at @IndEmbDoha really intolerable. Approached for repatriation flights via whatsapp,email after reg , but noreply since Apr27. Security at gate not allowing inside & treat as cattle. wait 8.30-1.00 at 43°C. #VandeBharatMission @DrSJaishankar @MOS_MEA @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/ilp74N9QoM
— Durairaj (@durairaj2021) June 10, 2020
With many migrant workers seeking to return home during the coronavirus pandemic, the Indian Embassy has operated 26 repatriation flights from Qatar, but Indian nationals in Qatar have taken to Twitter to ask to be repatriated. Some posted their phone numbers, passport numbers, and ID numbers on Twitter.
So far, 4,382 individuals and 126 infants have been repatriated from Qatar, the Indian Embassy in Doha said. The Indian population in Qatar reached 691,000 in 2018.
Please help evacuate us Qatar to Odisha. 250 people. We are under extreme distress. More than 3 months jobless, medical issues, pregnant ladies, workers, short term visa, etc.. pls help us with evacuation flight.
— Anil (@Anil73818230) June 12, 2020
Per the Indian Embassy’s guidelines, return passage to India should be paid by the foreign employer or sponsor, but in case of a breakdown in the contract relationship, those seeking to return may be eligible for government-sponsored repatriation, under some conditions.
On the embassy’s tweet from Friday, most of the more than 80 comments were from those wishing to return home.
@KTRTRS Sir plz help me I'm stuck in Qatar here's my visa sponsor cheat me he's torcher to me everyday no food no room no money I'm stay in road I want my passport I go back to India plz help me Anna 😭😭😭🙏 not good my health pic.twitter.com/0PqAldMfgI
— Maruthi prasad jonnadula (@Jmp59533715) June 11, 2020
As coronavirus made its sweep across the globe, India imposed strict lockdown measures, suspending flights entirely, effectively shutting borders.
Meanwhile, the economic downturn caused by coronavirus left many migrant workers in the construction sector out of work as companies put projects on halt.
Read more: Qatar is postponing $8 billion of contracts due to coronavirus: Report
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