Saudi Arabia’s ‘Nitaqat’ law makes it mandatory for local companies to hire one Saudi national for every 10 migrant workers. Hence, it obviously elbows out thousands of Indian labor, especially the illegal migrants in the country. Saudi government has asked the local companies to name such illegal migrants voluntarily or face legal actions. It orders such workers to return to their home countries within three months. However, Saudi government has given two months grace period upon the requests of several countries. Even then, if they fail to leave the country, then they will have to face the legal actions and likely to be jailed for years for violating the orders.

Indian labor, who mainly forms the work force of the country will be the first affected with this Nitaqat order. Many Indian labor cheated by the brokers and agents have landed in the gulf countries are working in miserable conditions without having any valid visa or permissions from the governments. Saudi is one among the gulf countries that has been providing employment to Indians for decades.

However, its latest Nitaqat law puts thousands of Indian labor on edge as many of them neither have enough money to buy the plane tickets nor can afford to return home without clearing the loans that they have taken to reach there. So, their situation is grim. But, it is evident that Saudi government once decided on any matter there will be no turn around on it at any circumstances.

So, Kerala and Tamilnadu governments have started their efforts to ensure safe return of their people. Kerala government even created a special department committee for smooth handling of this matter. Now, it is time for Andhra government to wake-up and react to the situation, before it’s too late.

The people of the state would be happy to see if the Congress and TDP, which have fought an ugly fight to transport the stranded passengers at Dehradoon airport yesterday, could show same spirits in transporting the workers from Saudi Arabia.