“We have asked Indian Embassy in Riyadh to provide free ration to the unemployed Indian workers in Saudi Arabia,” she said in a series of tweets. Ms Swaraj said Indians in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were facing various problems relating to their work and wages and that the “matters are much worse” in the former.
Her initial response came following a tweet by a man who said around 800 Indians were starving for the last three days in Jeddah and sought her intervention.
However, later, she said “The number of Indian workers facing food crisis in Saudi Arabia is over ten thousand. It is not 800 as is being reported.” Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh will soon travel to the Gulf nation to assess severity of the problem and try to resolve it.
“As a result our brothers and sisters in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are facing extreme hardship,” she said, adding while the situation in Kuwait is “manageable”, matters are much “worse” in Saudi Arabia.
Ms Swaraj said Minister of State for external affairs M J Akbar will take up the issue with Kuwait and Saudi authorities. “My colleagues Gen V K Singh will go to Saudi Arabia to sort out these matters and M J Akbar will take up with Kuwait and Saudi authorities.”
The Indian Consulate officials have already left for a highway camp near Jeddah where hundreds of workers need assistance.
The Consulate, in association with the Indian Community in Jeddah, has already distributed 15,475 kg of food stuff and other items.
“I appeal to 30 lakhs Indians in Saudi Arabia. Please help your fellow brothers and sisters. There is nothing mightier than the collective will of Indian nation,” Ms Swaraj said.