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An estimated 18,000 Indian workers, out of about 60,000 applicants, have had their emergency travel documents processed, it was confirmed by an Indian Embassy official in Riyadh yesterday.
Sibi George, deputy chief of the mission at the embassy, was responding to figures released in the Indian Parliament on Wednesday by Overseas Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi. “Actually this number of 18,000 represents those whose cases have been processed by the Indian diplomatic missions in ��������Ƶ,” George said. He said over 60,000 Indian workers are seeking emergency travel documents.
He added that many workers from other countries are also seeking emergency travel documents.
Sharif Alam, an Indian community leader, said: “Indian workers have been approaching the embassy and the Jeddah-based consulate on a daily basis for travel documents.” He said centers across the Kingdom are helping workers submit their applications. A delegation led by Ravi visited the Kingdom two weeks ago to raise concerns about the country’s Nitaqat program. During the talks, both sides had agreed to set up a joint working group to address “all immediate problems” facing the Indian community including issues related to overstaying workers.
Ravi said the Indian government has waived the fee of SR 7, which is a contribution to the Indian Community Welfare Fund, for those who applied for emergency travel documents and even asked the mission to bear the processing cost of SR 40 per application. He said government has asked the mission to provide temporary accommodation and food to needy Indians in ��������Ƶ.