NA Body Briefed On 450 Pakistani Workers' Plight In Saudi Arabia

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th july, 2016) : National Assembly Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Thursday was briefed about 450 Pakistani workers facing financial problems in Dammam area of Saudi Arabia. The committee meeting, chaired by Mir Aamir Ali Khan Magsi here at Parliament House noted that overseas Pakistanis are facing severe financial problems as the company that hired their services did not pay them salaries for last several months. Additional Secretary Foreign Affairs Tasawar Khan informed the committee that the foreign office had taken up this issue with the Saudi Embassy in Islamabad.

He said Embassy of Pakistan in Riyadh was in touch with the Pakistani workers constantly and the Embassy officials were providing food to the workers. He said Pakistan had deployed two officers (consular and third secretary) with staff few days back to look after the affairs of stranded workers.

He said Pakistan has suggested Saudi Arabia to issue re-entry visas for six months to the Pakistani workers staying at the holy land, who are affected due the non-payment from the Saad Group of Companies.

The government of Saudi Arabia has assured to clear the dues of Pakistani workers. The Managing Director Overseas Pakistanis Foundation could not satisfy the committee regarding the recruitment made in OPF during the last one year.

The body deferred the agenda till its next meeting for detailed and comprehensive briefing by the Ministry. Kashif Iqbal, Director NADRA informed the committee that the national identity card for overseas Pakistanis is not mandatory for the workers in the Gulf countries.

The committee recommended that the complete list of Community Welfare Attach‚ (CWA) be provided by the Ministry. The meeting was also attended among others by Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan, Chaudhry Abid Raza, Malik Muhammad Uzair Khan, Sabiha Nazir, Mussarat Rafique, Shagufta Jurnani, Suraiya Jatoi, Sheikh Salahuddin, Nasir Khan, Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Pir Sadruddin Shah Rashdi and other senior officials of the ministry.