Helpline for family of UP natives stuck in Saudi

Lucknow, Aug 2: The Uttar Pradesh government has started a helpline for the family of Indian workers from the state, who are stuck in Saudi Arabia due to severe financial hardship.

"In compliance with the directions of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Uttar Pradesh Non-Resident Indian department issued a helpline number for Indian workers of Uttar Pradesh origin stuck in Saudi Arabia and their families based in the state", an official spokesman said here.

The helpline number, +91-8005140000, will be functional round-the-clock. The state government will address the problems received through this helpline in coordination with the central government, he said.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had yesterday said the large number of Indian workers in Saudi Arabia, who have lost their jobs and cannot even buy food due to severe financial hardship, will be brought back home.

According to official sources, approximately 10,000 Indian workers have been affected by the economic slowdown in the Gulf and the situation was "fluid and dynamic".

PTI