Man from UP stranded in Jeddah; appeals for help from Indian govt

Jeddah, Aug 10: At least 7,700 Indians are reportedly stranded in Jeddah, who are anxiously waiting for the day when they will return to their homeland.

Rustam Azad is one among thousands of stranded Indians. He hails from Padrauna town of Kushi Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh. [Helpline for family of UP natives stuck in Saudi- +91-8005140000]

Rustam got in touch with OneIndia through the socail networking website Facebook and narrated the horrific ordeal that stranded Indians are going through since last six months.

He alleged that the Indian government has reached out to limited people only and many like him, have not been even approached by the Indian embassy officials.

Rustam is currently employed with Jeddah-based Inma Utilities Contracting company.

Minister of State for External Affairs, Retd Gen VK Singh had visited Jeddah last week, where he met stranded Indians in a camp.

On being asked, why didn't he met Singh, Rustam responded saying, "I didn't had enough money to meet him", while adding that "Singh only met Indians of a single construction-based firm (Saudi Oger) in a camp".

Rustam also alleged that his tweets to the Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and to Gen VK Singh went unanswered.

He said that alongwith his fellows approached the Indian consulate, where he was not offered any kind of help.

Rustam and his friends got to know about VK Singh's Jeddah visit through social media and TV news channels.

According to Rustam, around 800 Indians are stranded in seven buildings. Indian embassy is situated approximately 30 kms away from Rustam's firm.

Presently, a Karnataka based NGO-NRI Forum is providing food to Rustam and other stranded Indians.

The food that is being supplied to them can last upto three to four days.

Rustam's parents and his elder brother lives in Padrauna. Last year, he visited his family and then returned to Jeddah, as his leaves were over. He said that he has not received salary from last six months.

He, along with many Indians stranded like him, are desperately hoping that the Indian government approaches them soon and they return to their country safely.

Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh had travelled to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and held extensive talks with Saudi Labour Minister Mufrej Al Haqbani who promised urgent action to resolve the problems of around 7,000 Indians.

As per Saudi Arabia's kafala system, which is applicable to foreign workers, employees are not allowed to move to a new job without approval of their bosses.

Some 7,700 Indian workers employed with a company in Saudi Arabia are facing a financial crisis after it shut down and laid off workers.

On Tuesday, Aug 2,External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said 4,072 workers belonging to construction company Saudi Oger in Riyadh are in 10 camps: nine in Riyadh and one in Damman.

OneIndia News