two Indian engineers who arrived in the capital ostensibly on stolen Saudi work visas have urged Saudi authorities to intervene and help them leave the Kingdom at the earliest possible date. Their frustration is increasing since the first hearing of their case in the Labor Court was rejected 10 days ago. The court refused to hear them on the grounds that the case was beyond its jurisdiction. Kerala Relief Wing (KRW), a Riyadh-based social organization, took the case to Riyadh Governorate and to the National Human Rights Society and received identical responses. Both organizations referred the engineers to the Passports Department because they purportedly arrived in Saudi Arabia on stolen visas. The engineers' only hope is the intervention of other concerned Saudi authorities, who they are waiting to come forward and save them from their plight. Mohammed Khaja Saleem, a computer engineer narrated harrowing tales of his stay in the Kingdom without an Iqama, (residence permit), and with no financial resources for daily expenses such as food, shelter and transport. He said the sponsor refused to offer the engineers jobs on the pretext that they arrived on visas that were stolen from the company some time ago. The movement of the engineers is restricted because they have not received Iqamas. “I am penniless and am only able to survive because of the generosity of my friend who offered me shelter. However, for other expenses, I asked my family in India to send me money every month and the financial help has been coming on a regular basis for the past 10 months,” said Saleem. However, others are not as lucky as Saleem and find it difficult to pay for daily expenses, such as food, laundry and transport. The engineers remain confined to their accommodation provided courtesy of their friends and distant relatives. They said they prefer not to go out as they fear police arrest. Latheef Thetchy, a KRW member, said he would once again try to approach the Riyadh Governorate for help. “I swear the plight of these highly qualified Indian workers is pathetic. I have been in constant touch with these gentlemen, whose only desire is to go back home. The Indian Embassy is extending all possible help but so far has had no success,” he said. He said the engineers have no money. Some have found shelter in Internet cafés and others are living with their friends and relatives. The delay in their departure is frustrating them, he said. One of the engineers said someone suggested that in the absence of a sponsor the only way out is to surrender to the Deportation Center and go on an exit visa. However, he said he finds such an option challenging because he had a bad experience when he once visited the place (Deportation Center) to evaluate the possibility. “I will try to approach the sponsor once again pleading with him to send me back,” he said. Thetchy said the sponsor has only one answer saying that the matter is under investigation and he can do nothing except wait for the police report.
