[Yaadein_Meri] Saudi law threatens Indians' jobs six lakh workers from Andhra Pradaesh

Saudi law threatens Indians' jobs DC | L. Venkat Ram Reddy | 9 hours 13 min ago ·           ·           ·           ·           ·         inShare ·         Printer-friendly version ·         Send by email Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh government will seek the help of the Centre to protect the interests of nearly six lakh workers from Andhra Pradesh who are working in Saudi Arabia and who are in danger of being rendered jobless once the new Nitaqat scheme is implemented in that country. Under the new Nitaqat scheme announced by the Saudi government, local companies will have to employ one Saudi national for every 10 migrant workers. The scheme is an attempt to employ more Saudi citizens as the country is finding it hard to give employment to locals.   The situation has created apprehensions among AP employees who are working in small Saudi firms. There are concerns that Hyderabadis, especially from the old city, will be worst affected. Around one lakh Hyderabadis are employed in middle-level jobs: Managerial and administrative positions, receptionists, secretaries, telephone and computer operators, accountants, typists, salesmen, marketing executives, hotel staff, taxi drivers, clerks, teachers etc. The impact will be minimal on those doing lowerlevel jobs like construction workers, plumbers, fitters, electricians, cleaners, maids, security guards etc. as the locals do not prefer these low-paying jobs. There will also be no impact on those in higher-level jobs either, like IT professionals, doctors, nurses, scientists, professors etc, as the country lacks adequate manpower with higher education qualifications. "Workers from AP are spread over all the six Gulf countries. The Nitaqat scheme is confined to Saudi Arabia. We will write to the Centre urging it to initiate efforts to seek extension of the deadline from Saudi Arabia for implementing the Nitaqat. The state government will also devise a relief and rehabilitation package for the affected workers," said D. Sridhar Babu, the minister for NRI affairs. He gave an assurance that the affected workers will be extended all possible help. However, the voluntary organisations are upset at the state government for not taking enough precautionary measures. "The government responds only after the deadline ends. It should try to alert the migrants well in advance about the impact of policy decisions taken by foreign countries. Many people who go to Gulf are illiterate or are semi-literate. They are being exploited by brokers with false promises of permanent employment. The state government should take up awareness programmes," said M. Bheem Reddy, vice-president, Migrants Rights Council and member of Migrant Forum in Asia. Mid-level workers to be most affected The most affected would be Indians employed in middle-level jobs like those doing managerial and administrative jobs, receptionists, secretaries, tele phone and computer operators, accountants, typists, salesmen, marketing executives, hotel staff, taxi drivers, clerks, teachers etc. Union overseas Indian affairs minister Vayalar Ravi termed it a "serious issue" and asked the Indian ambassador in Saudi Arabia to update his ministry about the new development and its impact on Indian workers there.