SNM, JTS assist workers in distress

JEDDAH — The Senthamizh Nala Mandram (SNM) and Jeddah Tamil Sangham (JTS), two community groupings of Tamil members active in social and welfare activities, jointly distributed Indian Rs.1000 each to 79 Saudi Oger employees in the presence of Consul (consular) Anand Kumar and Vice Consul Shiv Lal Meena for expenses during their onward journey in India. On Tuesday, SNM and JTS team visited the Saudi Oger camp near the Red Sea Mall, where they handed over the earmarked sum to the 79 departing workers, who had been issued the exit visa and tickets to India. The workers had also completed all the formalities for their dues, including the 9 months pay owed to them. This distribution of the sum to the workers was decided during an Oct, 6 meeting. The Indian government is providing air tickets to either Mumbai or New Delhi and the onward journey is by train. The reason for the community support is that the workers at times have to travel for a day or two to reach their hometowns or villages. They have not been paid for nine months and are leaving without much in their hands. Hence it was decided to give these people going back home a gratis of Rs.1,000 to tide them over during their travel. The 79 people, who received this sum, were thankful for the fine gesture from both SNM and JTS. The Indian Consulate too thanked the community for this timely gesture and their repeated assistance to their Indian brethren in distress. A day or two earlier, the SNM members, on a request by senior visiting officer from the Ministry of External Affairs, Moorthy to assist the Saudi Oger workers after finding many of the labors not having enough or any balance in their mobile phones to top up their charge so they can stay in touch with their near and dear ones back home, took a roll call and came up with an amount that would assist these workers. They also assured Moorthy that they would visit the camp the next day to get this done. Workers in the Saudi Oger camps face delayed payment following the mounting financial liabilities of the company. As the non-payment of wages became a major issue, Saudi officials are working together with Indian, Pakistani and Filipino mission officials to help thousands of stranded workers.