Keralam Assembly: Govt. has put in place measures to address concerns of expatriates in Saudi, says CM

The State government has put in place a series of measures to address the concerns of expatriate Malayalis in Saudi Arabia amid escalating tensions in West Asia, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said in the Keralam Assembly on Tuesday.

Replying to a submission by T.V. Ibrahim, MLA, on the concerning situation in West Asia and the issues of expatriates in Saudi Arabia, the Chief Minister said that any individual cases can be addressed and that the government and NORKA were continuously interacting with various associations of expatriates as well as the Indian embassy and consulate in Saudi Arabia.

He said that complaints received by elected representatives could be forwarded to NORKA for prompt action. A NORKA help desk was opened in Saudi Arabia on October 10 to provide emergency assistance and information to Malayali expatriates and their families. The facility aims to address their concerns, collect details of those requiring urgent assistance and coordinate with the relevant authorities to ensure necessary support.

NORKA Roots has also activated helpline facilities through its Global Contact Centre to provide expatriates with emergency assistance, travel-related information and guidance on the prevailing situation.

24-hour control rooms

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah have established 24-hour control rooms, with their contact numbers made public. Expatriates have been advised to follow the official websites and social media pages of these missions for the latest updates on flight operations, travel disruptions and emergency assistance.

As part of its outreach, NORKA held an online meeting with Malayali expatriates and community organisations in Saudi Arabia on October 24 to assess the situation and identify their concerns. The government is also in touch with expatriate organisations in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries to identify issues requiring urgent intervention and coordinate assistance.

Mr. Satheesan said that the Saudi Arabia government had already announced that visitors holding visit, tourist, Umrah and business visas who were stranded in the country because of flight disruptions could leave without paying fines. He said the intervention of the Keralam government had also contributed to securing this relief.

Arrangements had been made to explore return journeys through airports in neighbouring countries, including Qatar and Bahrain, subject to visa requirements, travel regulations and flight availability. The State government’s representatives in New Delhi were in continuous contact with the Union Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia and the Consulate General in Jeddah to address emerging concerns.