International

At Least 10,000 Jobless Indians Starving In Saudi Arabia, Sushma Swaraj Steps In To Help

Darpan News Desk IANS, 30 Jul, 2016 01:04 PM

In what has come as a shocking development, over 10,000 Indian workers in Saudi Arabia are facing a "food crisis", External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Saturday.

"The number of Indian workers facing food crisis in Saudi Arabia is over Ten Thousand," Sushma Swaraj said in a tweet.

I assure you that no Indian worker rendered unemployed in Saudi Arabia will go without food. I am monitoring this on hourly basis.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 30, 2016

"It is not 800 as is being reported," she said.

She appealed to the over three million-strong expatriate Indian population in the Gulf kingdom to "help your brothers and sisters".

My colleagues @Gen_VKSingh will go to Saudi Arabia to sort out these matters and @MJakbar will take up with Kuwait and Saudi authorities./5
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 30, 2016

"There is nothing mightier than the collective will of Indian nation," Sushma Swaraj said.

We have asked @IndianEmbRiyadh to provide free ration to the unemployed Indian workers in Saudi Arabia. /4
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 30, 2016

Earlier on Saturday, she said that a large number of Indians have lost their jobs in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

"The employers have not paid wages, closed down their factories," she said, adding that Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh would be going to Saudi Arabia to sort out the issue.

Large number of Indians have lost their jobs in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The employers have not paid wages closed down their factories. /1
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 30, 2016

She stated this in response to a tweet from a man who said that over 800 jobless Indians have been starving for three days in Jeddah.

"We have asked the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia to serve you food in Jeddah," Sushma Swaraj said.

Indian Consulate n Indian Community Jeddah in action helping Indians in Sisten / Macrona camp,Jeddah, July 30,16. pic.twitter.com/NLm5AzfeGa
— India in Jeddah (@CGIJeddah) July 30, 2016

"My colleague @Gen_VKSingh is reaching Saudi Arabia to sort out all such matters," she stated.

She said that while the situation in Kuwait was manageable, matters were much worse in Saudi Arabia.

Indian Consulate n Indian Community Jeddah in action helping Indians in Sisten / Macrona camp,Jeddah, July 30,16. pic.twitter.com/ujPA1mtspn
— India in Jeddah (@CGIJeddah) July 30, 2016

Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar would be taking up the issue with the Saudi and Kuwaiti authorities, she said.

"I assure you that no Indian worker rendered unemployed in Saudi Arabia will go without food," Sushma Swaraj said in another tweet.

Indian Consulate n Indian Community Jeddah in action helping Indians in Sojex, Red Seal Mall,Jeddah, July 30,16. pic.twitter.com/3ISkmWkbh0
— India in Jeddah (@CGIJeddah) July 30, 2016

"I am monitoring this on hourly basis," she added.

Following this, the man who had tweeted about the situation in Jeddah, again tweeted pictures of Indians queuing up for food.

While Saudi Arabia has over three million expatriate Indians, there are over 800,000 of them in Kuwait.

Prev Next

MORE International ARTICLES

Tuesday Primaries Key To Republicans As Donald Trump Sees End Game

Republican front-runner Donald Trump faces a week of critical primary elections that could see his political dominance grow at the risk of even wider party divisions in one of the most chaotic presidential campaigns in generations.

Tuesday Primaries Key To Republicans As Donald Trump Sees End Game

Former Pakistani Diplomat Husain Haqqani Not To Attend Delhi Litfest

Citing visa issue as the reason for Haqqani's absence, organisers said that noted Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasrin will fill his place in the festival.

Former Pakistani Diplomat Husain Haqqani Not To Attend Delhi Litfest

Donald Trump Considers Paying Legal Bills For Man Charged At Rally

When asked whether he'd financially back the supporter, who was arrested and charged with assault, Trump says he's "instructed my people to look into it, yes."

Donald Trump Considers Paying Legal Bills For Man Charged At Rally

Stolen Ancient Jain, Hindu Statues Worth $450,000 Seized In USA

The statues seized Friday by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents in "Operation Hidden Idol" were of Rishabhanata, the first Jain Thirthankar, and of Revanta, a son of God Surya

Stolen Ancient Jain, Hindu Statues Worth $450,000 Seized In USA

Donald Trump Calls Off Rally Due To Security Concerns

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump cancelled one of his signature rallies on Friday, calling off the event due to safety concerns after protesters packed the arena where he was scheduled to speak.