MEA takes cognisance of SOS from Guj

Bhavnagar collector Gaurang Makwana writes to Guj Home dept; Indian Embassy in Riyadh reaches out to workers

Over 61 Indians stranded in the compound of a company in Riyadh, after their work permits expired over 18 months ago, finally saw a ray of light on Thursday after the Indian embassy and MEA took cognisance of the Mirror report.

Among the 61 Indians are about 20 Gujaratis, seven of them from Ghogha in Bhavnagar district.

After Mirror reported their plight on Thursday, there has been a glimmer of hope as the lone voice of the stranded people, Yasin Shaikh, was heard by officials in the Ministry of External Affairs in India. The Embassy of India in Riyadh in a reply to Mirror's story, informed that the matter had been taken up with officials of Saudi Arabia.

In a tweet, the embassy stated, "Embassy is cognizant of the matter and has taken it up with the concerned Saudi authorities at various levels. The issue is also being followed up very closely. Emb is also in touch with the workers and is extending them all possible help." India's Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar, himself a Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat, also endorsed the tweet by the embassy.

Bhavnagar Collector IAS Gaurang Makwana dispatched a team of officers to Ghogha to get details after which a letter was sent to the Gujarat Home Department to look into the matter and forward it to the MEA for further action. Collector Makwana said, "We have taken all the statements and documents. Most important of these is the experience of Yasin Shaikh who has returned to India. We have sent these along with a request to the Gujarat Home Department for further action."

Lost all life savings

Mohammed Yasin Gulambhai Shaikh, the one Gujarati, who made it back to India said, "I have not been paid my salary for the past ten months which comes to about Rs 4 lakh in Indian Rupees." He has also lost benefits of about Rs 5.11 lakh that accrued over 28 years of service.