Indian doctors facing problems in Libya

Gwalior, July 12: A large number of foreign doctors, mainly Indians, employed in Libya are facing manifold problems due to abrupt change in job contract and other service conditions, say Indian doctors.

These doctors came under the category of Contracted Person and their contracts were renewed every year with mutual consent of the Ministry of Health and employee concerned.

When their plight was brought to the notice of Indian embassy, they were advised to return to India with a fresh job contract with the help of Alsiraaj consultancy, they said.

These doctors, hailing from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab and Harayana, had collectively sent e-mail to their friends in India with a request to convey their plight to prospective immigrants to Libya being recruited by Alsiraaj, said Dr P Vengal Rao.

''About 35 Indian doctors at Libya's Ibnsina Hospital, seven Ukrainians, three Egyptians and one Philippino had approached their respective embassies and other concerned departments but in vain'', said Dr Rao, who hailed from Andhra Pradesh.

Pointing out that non-renewal of job contract for a year had left the doctors in a lurch, Dr Rao said neither the doctors could go for vacation nor bring their families.

''Libyan government has amended some rules affecting their gratuity and other perks. It provides for payment of gratuity equal to 50 days salary for three years and they want to implement this formula even for those working for past 15 years'', rued the agitated doctors. Previous contract provided that they were eligible for one month salary for first four years with 100 per cent remittance and two months salary per annum thereafter.

Besides, the Libyan Ministry of Health has promised to provide doctors to and fro free air tickets for spouse and three minor children for every two years. But now the ministry has backtracked from its words saying that air tickets will be provided only on exit.

''The Ministry also promised us free full furnished accommodation or two months salary as furnishing allowance in case of family accommodation and one month salary in case of bachelor accommodation,'' said Dr Rao. However, he said, they had to pay rental charges ranging from 25 LD to 135 LD besides electricity and water bills.

The aggrieved doctors also aproached their respective embassies, President's Office, Prime Minister's Office and Human Rights organisations, Dr Rao added.

UNI