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India conveys concern to Saudi Arabia over Nitaqat law

  •   Mon, Apr 29 2013 10:02:31 AM

Riyadh, Apr 29 (PTI): India has conveyed its concerns to Saudi Arabia over possible job loss to a large number of Indians in the Kingdom due to its new labour law.

A delegation led by Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi met Saudi Arabian Labour Minister Adel Fakieh to convey India's concern over the Nitaqat programme.

Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed and Advisor to Prime Minister T K A Nair were also part of the delegation. 'The 'Nitaqat' law makes it mandatory for local companies to hire one Saudi national for every 10 migrant workers. There has been widespread perception that the new policy will lead to denial of job opportunities for a large number of Indians working there.

Over two million Indians are currently working in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government was implementing the Nitaqat law to cut unemployment in the country.

Earlier India had said that new Saudi labour policy will affect only illegal immigrants and not genuine workers employed in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia had earlier given a three-month grace period to foreigner workers to regularise their status after a panic over mass deportations as part of a crackdown on illegal migrants.

The world's top oil exporter has more than nine million expatriates whose remittances home provide important revenue for countries including Yemen, India, Pakistan and the Philippines.

More than 200,000 foreigners have been deported from the country over the past few months as part of labour market reforms aimed at putting more Saudi nationals into private sector jobs, where they now make up only a tenth of the workforce.

 
  

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Comment on this article

  • Sachidanand Shetty, Mundkur/Dubai

    Mon, Apr 29 2013

    No one will lose bread and butter if Saudi Employers adhere to “Nitaqat” rule by employing 10% Saudis in their Company. Indian Minister should approach Indian Companies in Saudi at least to recruit 10% Local Employees so that no Indian Employees will suffer because of this rule rather than approaching Saudi Labour Ministry. This is the same case in Bahrain, Qatar as well as in Oman too and all Employers are adhering to the rule of that Country.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ayes P., Mangalore/KSA

    Mon, Apr 29 2013

    As per my knowledge Nitaqat law is 35% of Saudi should be employed in each and every firm out of 100 but our (Indian) e-media is highlighting only 10%. Many expatriate (especially Indian) workers are in jail so let our delegation concern about them instead of talking simply better job better job.

    DisAgree Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincent, Mangalore

    Mon, Apr 29 2013

    Before our ministers take a stand with Saudi Arabia on this matter they should ask them selves this....Would India modify its labour law to accommodate a foreign nations workforce?

    DisAgree Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • Aadil Khan, Kasaragod, Saudi Arabia

    Mon, Apr 29 2013

    It is sad our Indian brothers loose their bread and butter with the implementation of the new Saudi law.

    I dont understand what sort of concern our ministers convey to Saudi Arabia? Are we in a position to urge Saudis, not to employ at least 10% nationals in an expatriate dominated firm? Is it logical?

    Or if the concern was the time required to regulate the exodous of illegal workers, the Nitaqat was announced much earlier and had given enough time to implement. When the deadline is over, people were panic and again the King granted grace time of 3 months more to sort out the problem. Now, what other concern can we express to the Saudi labor ministry?

    Really shame our officials begging for mercy. Instead, they should concentrate on what sort of contingency and rehabilitation plans our Govt should adopt to those returning from Saudi.

    Hope our ministry personnel prevail sense.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Aubb, Kuwait

    Mon, Apr 29 2013

    Instead of sorting out the immediate concerns of the stranded, jailed and mistreated workers in GCC countries, Vayalar Ravi is barking at the wrong tree.

    Instead of a contingency plan for to be repatriated workers, he is shamelessly knocking at the doors of the adamant Saudi officials, who in my opinion are doin the right thing in the best interests of the millions of poor and unemployed Saudi youth, whose situation has become more than explosive.

    Our "Dhongi" leaders are only good for shedding crocodile tears when it is too late, and that too without lifting a single finger, or taking any pain to visualise and plan ahead of such situations.

    India is a major world economy and a prominent of the BRIC group of countries, and it should do more to provide adequate employment opportunities for deserving youth within our own country.

    Shameless Vayalar Ravi and others who beg stupid Saudis.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • Gerwal, Dubai

    Mon, Apr 29 2013

    Mr. Charles D'Mello is absolutely right. Our Indian Govt. has no business to interefere in the internal laws of Saudi Arabia. All the Indians working abroad are because of all our shameless "CORRUPT INDIAN POLITICIANS". If we had CLEAN GOVERNMENT, then Indians had no need to work abroad. There is more than enough work in India for Indians. SHAME ON THE INDIAN POLITICIANS & SHAME ON OUR INDIAN GOVERNMENT - THE WORST IN THE WORLD.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shaan, Manglore/Dubai

    Mon, Apr 29 2013

    Simple... Without Indian Investors & Workforces world Economy never access easily if it is US-BPO Bill either Saudi's Nitaqat law..No longer work out, Ultimate they need Indian Workforce.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Krishna, mangalore

    Mon, Apr 29 2013

    What I understand from my friends is that Job loss is secondary. First our officials should help hundreds of Indians who are not able to come out of Saudi Arabia because their sponsors have lodged complaints with the police saying that these employees have absconded ( HUROOB ) ( even though the employees are in front of their sponsors ) It is these type of people who deserve our help. Ministers please wake up and respond to this problem

    DisAgree [3] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • Charles D'Mello, Pangala

    Mon, Apr 29 2013

    I do not understand why India is poking nose into Saudi internal matters. It is sad that many Indians may lose their job, but many Saudis will get the same. Ultimately survival of the fittest theory holds good. Instead of poking nose into other country it is better to create more jobs in India and develop the country without any corruption. It will be good for all Indians.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [62] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rohan, mangalore

    Mon, Apr 29 2013

    This will the case in all the Gulf countries and sooner or later all the expats will have to return. First of all more and more Arab youth are entering job market and secondly there is growing concern over civil unrest in many of the Gulf countries. India would face this brunt the most.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [45] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shamith Kunder, Bahrain

    Mon, Apr 29 2013

    I agree with Rohan. It high time Mangalore and kerala create a labour oriented economic development. Politician should be vibrant and attract more MNC companies to invest in Mangalore and Kerala so that youth employment is taken care inhouse and thereby provide them better standard of living.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse


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