By Syed Mussarat Khalil
JEDDAH — The visiting Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Pir Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi was optimistic that all issues of stranded Pakistani workers in the Kingdom will be resolved soon.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, the minister said documentation of workers is delaying the process of their getting financial dues from Saudi companies. He, however, said the Saudi Ministry of Labor and Social Development has assured that all issues will be resolved as early as possible.
Rashidi said Prime Minister Mohammed Nawaz Sharif had taken immediate steps to solve the problems of overseas workers, who were affected by the closure or downsizing of major companies in Saudi Arabia, including Saudi Binladin Group, Saad Construction and Saudi Oger company
Pakistan Ambassador Manzoor ul Haq and Habibur Rehman Gillani, managing director of Overseas Pakistanis Foundation and Consul General Shehryar Akber Khan also attended the briefing.
He said, “Premier Sharif and his government are fully aware of the problems of the overseas workers and labors. Therefore, he sent me and overseas foundation (OFP) Director General Habibur Rehman Gillani to discuss the issue with Saudi authorities for their relief and quick solutions.”
“We had a detailed meeting with the Saudi Labor Minister Mufrej Al-Haqbani in Riyadh Wednesday and discussed the issue of distressed workers. The issues related to the workers’ problems will be solved soon as they have promised to give their full attention to resolve the situation,” he added.
“Things are in progress. We are preparing a list of workers who wish to stay and another of those who wish to go home. We have also launched a website to collect data. Workers’ unpaid salary, health, provision of food, renewal of iqama (resident card) and transfer of sponsorship — everything will be solved,” he said.
The minister, accompanied by Ambassador Manzoorul Haq, Consul General Shehryar Akbar Khan, Deputy Consul General Asif Memon, Director General OPF Habiur ur Rehman and social members of Pakistani community, then visited the workers at their camps.
