134,000 Indians back home from Saudi Arabia, says minister

New Delhi: Over 134,000 Indian workers have returned from Saudi Arabia after the kingdom enforced stricter labour regulations, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said Tuesday.

Talking to reporters here, Ravi said the Indian government is closely watching the situation and providing all possible help to the affected person.

“Some 1.34 lakh Indians have already come back from Saudi Arabia,” Ravi said, adding the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia is facilitating the return of the workers who do not have proper documents.

Ravi said there is no harassment and Saudi authorities are not entering into the houses of Indian diaspora for physical checks.

“Saudi Arabian government has given specific instructions not to harass people but to check properly and not enter any house,” the minister said.

Saudi Arabia recently introduced a new policy called Nitaqat (classification) that seeks to remove illegal immigrants and boost employment for locals by reserving 10 percent of jobs for them in all establishments.