Faisal Aboobacker Ponnani Saudi Gazette DAMMAM — Saudi authorities have praised the Indian Embassy's efforts to ensure its illegal expatriates either corrected their status or left the country during an amnesty announced earlier this year, said India's ambassador to the Kingdom on Saturday. Hamid Ali Rao, speaking at a press conference at the International Indian School, said Saudi authorities “applauded the enthusiasm shown by Indian workers” to legalize their working status. He said Saudi authorities regard this achievement as a model for other countries' diplomatic missions to follow. More than 1.4 million Indians have taken advantage of the grace period, claimed Rao. He said this was the result of a joint effort involving social organizations, volunteers, the media and Saudi authorities. He said: “Really, this is a great achievement that would not have been reached without the help of Saudi authorities. “I thank the Saudi authorities, which have always adopted a humanitarian and compassionate approach toward expatriates during the grace period and during the implementation of the status legalization process.” There are still some expatriates who are having problems with their sponsors, especially household workers like drivers and housekeepers, and this is being addressed by the Saudi authorities on a case by case basis, said Rao. The ambassador said a labor agreement would be signed soon between India and Saudi Arabia. This agreement aims to minimize and control illegal activities among Indians working in the Kingdom and to ensure they abide by the rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia, he said. The ambassador was in the Eastern Province to attend the 31st anniversary celebrations of the International Indian School, Dammam.
