Govt Takes Effective Measures To Resolve Workers' Issue In Saudi Arabia

Govt takes effective measures to resolve workers' issue in Saudi Arabia

ISLAMABAD, (Pakistan Point News - 9th August, 2016) : Managing Director, Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) Habib-ur-Rehman Gillani on Tuesday said the government took effective measures to resolve the problems being faced by the Pakistani workers in Saudi Arabia and the embassy worked day and night for it. Talking to APP, he said Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Pir Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi will soon travel to Saudi Arabia as per directive of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to hold meetings with the relevant authorities there to resolve the issues.

Meetings of the Minister with relevant dignitaries in Saudi Arabia are being finalised with the help of Saudi Ambassador, the MD said. Around 8,520 Pakistanis working in two companies, namely M/s Saad Trading and Contracting Company, Al-Khobar (520 workers) and Saudi Oger Limited (8000 workers) are currently facing financial problems, he told. He said the government had coordinated with Saudi authorities to manage food and basic necessities for the workers.

The authorities are now providing food and cash assistance to them. While the families of those workers residing here were given Rs.50,000 cash amount each, he added. Workers who want to come back to Pakistan are facing issues regarding their due salaries and end of service benefits which will be resolved soon, he mentioned. They will be allowed to come back by giving their Power of Attornies to Pakistan Embassy there so that they can get the amount afterwards through the embassy.

The workers who want to file cases for their due rights are being provided legal assistance as well as facility to hold meetings in labour courts. Workers who want to find another job will be facilitated to find job in open market there. Facilities will also be provided by the Pakistan Embassy for getting their "Iqamas" (Permission) and work permits etc., the MD said. He said the government has taken all measures and is constantly in contact with the Saudi government, the companies and the Pakistani employees. He said the Saudi government had also extended cooperation to resolve the matter to a great extent.