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ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani embassy in Riyadh has set up 'Special Facilitation Centre' to provide welfare to Pakistani workers in Saudi Arabia who are suffering from financial problems and distress, a PM House statement said on Tuesday.
"The prime minister has instructed the Pakistan embassy to assist the Pakistani workers in distress and take all possible steps to resolve their grievances at the earliest," read the statement.
The embassy will also facilitate the Pakistani workforce by compiling claims for their dues and salaries.
The Foreign Office (FO) also apprised the premier that the Pakistani embassy has made arrangements for ensuring food supply, medical assistance and settlement of salaries and outstanding dues of the employees.
The Pakistani workers will be facilitated in the transfer of work permits for those who have decide to leave their company and the embassy will also facilitate workers to return to their homeland, if they opt to do so, added the statement.
The embassy further said that the Saudi king has issued a decree ordering urgent payment of dues to workers by the concerned corporate entities.
The prime minister further directed the FO to ensure provision of all necessary support to Pakistani workers.
‘’We stand by our hardworking workers who are away from their homeland to earn a living for their families. They are our strength and pride. We will help them out in all possible ways’’, said Nawaz.
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Comments (46) Closed
Aug 02, 2016 05:47pm
Finally some light for our citizens in trouble.
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Aug 02, 2016 05:49pm
After Philippine and India took action, then Pakistani government woke up. before they were sleeping!
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Aug 02, 2016 05:50pm
Inspiration from India!!
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Aug 02, 2016 05:56pm
Thank you Mr PM for listening to oversees pakistanis. I think embassies or Consulates in other countries should also come forward and address issues of pakistanis living abroad.
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Aug 02, 2016 05:58pm
Thanks God - FINALLY!
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Aug 02, 2016 06:00pm
Better late than never.
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Aug 02, 2016 06:02pm
Laudable.. Good! though it is not the sufficient, they hurriedly started single counter after Indian Governments and Philippians initiative.
Opening just the counter is not enough. What Paksitani labours need is Food and later salary so they can come back.
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Aug 02, 2016 06:09pm
When diplomatic core is selected based on political affiliations...then this kind of mess happens!
These so called "Diplomats" are living in luxury and doing nothing about diplomacy!
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Aug 02, 2016 06:11pm
Nice to see our government is involved now. We must take care our Pakistani brothers and sisters.
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Aug 02, 2016 06:16pm
It is a fact that due to slump in oil prices many countries in the gulf have faced temporary liquidity problem. Expatriates have earned billions of dollars from these gulf countries until recent years, now when the financial conditions are temporarily difficult the expatriate communities should understand, co-operate & be peaceful. Any outstanding will be fully paid, the Arabs would never like to keep someone's money. All expatriate workers should have patience especially Pakistanis, it is more than money that we are committed to the Arabs & the region.
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Aug 02, 2016 06:18pm
At last Nawas used his tremendous clout and influence with Saudi monarchs..A great news indeed.....
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Aug 02, 2016 06:22pm
These foreign countries abuses foreign workers at the extreme limit
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Aug 02, 2016 06:33pm
Well done Pakistan embassy.
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Aug 02, 2016 07:12pm
I was in Saudi Arabia for three weeks last month and met so many Pakistanis who have not been paid by Saudi employers for months. Saudi system is very strange and unfair for foreign workers.When a company hires a worker, they ask for a visa from the government and Iqama is issued to stay in the country. Worker's passport is confiscated by the employer as soon he arrives and from now on he is at the mercy of his employer.This is worse than the slavery.The employer can kick him out of the country (called Kharooj) at any time without any reason.I have heard so many horror stories where the workers were not paid for over a year and when they ask for pay ,they are kicked out of the country and they have no where to go to ask for help. Complaints against Saudi nationals are never entertained by law enforcement agencies.They work long hours up to 18 hours without any overtime.The country does not abide by any international labor laws. Our govt must help these workers for unpaid wages.
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Aug 02, 2016 07:28pm
@Abdulla Hussain.. Are you serious? I know so many employees who have not being paid and will probably have to leave this country. I know so many employees who want to leave this country but havent been able to..Have you ever been to the Gulf?
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Aug 02, 2016 07:40pm
@Abdulla Hussain . Hello Mr.Abdullah. All expats have worked hard and are asking for salaries promised to them. Anything wrong in it? If after extracting the work if the employer does not pay the worker what choice does the worker have but to complain. Yes, economy can go up or down but should they not be paid for the work done?
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Aug 02, 2016 07:41pm
It is very unfortunate if, someone sleep hungry. Asian labor in Saudi are without salary and food and their respective governments are trying best to get them food and other possible help. But, question is, why Saudi don't want to pay their wages. they are spending millions on funding terrorist and bombing Yemen and other bad activity? Isn't it their responsibility to do some humanitarian work or they are there just to do sin??
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Aug 02, 2016 07:44pm
Finally!
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Aug 02, 2016 07:47pm
All brothers in Saudi Arabia & Kuwait, just get out of this place. Situation would be worst in coming days and don't accept for pending salary. I don't think it will happen ever. You can work in your own country and have a good life in home too..
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Aug 02, 2016 07:54pm
well done India !!
now rest of the world is following our steps to help the people in distress in Saudi Arabia.
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Aug 02, 2016 07:56pm
It is interesting to note how the American presidential election campaigne seems to change after the comments of a Pakistan American Muslim ..Mr. Khan I am proud of you.
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Aug 02, 2016 07:57pm
The saudi nationals oftenly treat foreign labours as an animal they not paid them salaries without any concern of their health condtions or availablity of food.further there is no way to complain against them if one go to police or court they send the person out by saying we will check only.
ambasies of other countries are having very limited right to solve their citizen's problem.
I am in saudi arab and lost my job due to only single day absent therefore these gulf countries are never been helping for any foreign labours they paid very less amount against the work which they are taking.so if they are suffering economical crises why they are making labour as a victim.
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Aug 02, 2016 08:00pm
@Suhaib: Take it for granted the legal outstanding will be fully paid, this is temporary disturbance. I know the gulf region quite well. Have patience.
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Aug 02, 2016 08:10pm
@Tamilselvsn: No company has denied the rights of the workers & no company has either refused to pay the outstanding, Arab countries have always paid in full for any service rendered to them. This is a special situation that needs consideration. The gulf countries have happily allowed tax free earning & sending money to respective countries, billions of dollars have been remitted to almost all countries of the world. Instead of resorting mud-slinging & violent protest the expatriate communities should show patience & respect.
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Aug 02, 2016 08:29pm
Pakistan consulate must open one centre in Jeddah.
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Aug 02, 2016 08:54pm
@Abdulla Hussain crap, they are happy in taking oil price in Dollars and pay our workers in Pittance in Local currency. One sided trade and exploitation to the core. Starve them , Make them understand what it paid s to earn and support family.
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Aug 02, 2016 09:01pm
Our all policies are India centric. As soon Indian government has taken action for its distressed people at Saudi, over Foreign Ministry has woke up from somber sleep.
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Aug 02, 2016 09:08pm
Oh... Here They wake up at laaaaaaaaaaast
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Aug 02, 2016 09:12pm
@Abdulla Hussain
Really - that's why so many are going hungry on the streets.
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Aug 02, 2016 09:14pm
@Abdulla Hussain let me not give you salary for 9 months, not allow you to go home because your iqama expired and leave you hungry apart from no medical insurance and then I will see your commitment after that. I advise you to get a life or do something productive.
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Aug 02, 2016 09:14pm
@Suhaib: I am working in Saudi Arabia for 23 years now and fully endorse what Abdullah Haroon has said. I was brought up in Pakistan, have lived in the US and Saudi Arabia. Found Saudi Arabia to be the most liveable place out of the three countries mentioned. Pakistan being my homeland obviously is my pride!
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Aug 02, 2016 09:21pm
Here Pakistan competing in right direction
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Aug 02, 2016 09:48pm
Arab countries are in financial mess because their revenue from oil has decreased by more than 50% due to lower oil prices. Oil is the only product they export.Oil prices will stay low because USA the biggest consumer of oil is exporting oil instead of importing. The Iranian entry to the oil exporting countries has further deteriorated the oil prices due to an over supply in the world market. Saudi Arabia has to move away for dependence on oil to other products. They have the best weather to grow vegetables,oranges, mangoes,fig and dates but they lack vision. All the fruit and the dairy products are imported from other countries rather than producing locally. They need to diversify their exports on war footing to get out of this downturn.
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Aug 02, 2016 11:37pm
It's high time that India Pakistan and Bangladesh take an united stand on this matter with the Saudi. This exploitation of workers cannot go on for ever. Gulf countries are just taking advantage as each of our country is ready to out do the other. All our countries should meet and come out with a joint declaration giving out guidelines for such countries who employ our unskilled labourers.
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Aug 03, 2016 12:15am
Finally PM heard the voice of distressed people of Pakistanis workers. That's a very good move.
Long live Nawaz Sharif.
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Aug 03, 2016 12:17am
If this had happened in Pakistan, civil society would have banded together to feed these people.
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Aug 03, 2016 12:17am
The Saudi royals want Pakistan to protect them. They should protect Pakistan's overseas workers. The royals should guarantee lost wages and unemployment time waiting for wages so they can fly home.
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Aug 03, 2016 12:31am
It us a shame on big Saudi firms. A poor Pakistan has been accommodating almost five million refugees since decades.
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Aug 03, 2016 12:47am
@Abdulla Hussain
Sir, you make it sound as the billions of dollars that have gone to South Asia and beyond have been charity. The Middle East has gained cheap development from the sweat of south Asians, if your infrastructure had been built by local or Western work forces it would be a fraction of what it is today.
When workers go into debt to work in the Middle East ,are now going hungry can't always leave even if they are willing to forfeit their hard earned earnings something is wrong.
Sadly we in Pakistan will be 300 million in 34 years and I doubt our economy will be able to sustain us, so you will have a ready supply of desperate people.
I for one hope solar,wind and nuclear provide clean cheap energy for the world and Your citizens have to earn their income like ours do.
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Aug 03, 2016 12:49am
Indian govt doing for their citizen woke up NS and he is trying to do something.
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Aug 03, 2016 01:13am
@Nadeem Why don't this great country absorb some of the refugees from Iraq, Syria , Sudan , Afghanistan or even Pakistan . Why people from these countries are asking asylum in Europe , USA , Australia because they know the answer.
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Aug 03, 2016 04:10am
@Abdulla Hussain while I fully agree with what you are saying but those poor souls have dependents back in Pakistan. Their children needs to go to school rents bills debts other utilities like groceries who is going to pay them. These people are dependant on monthly salaries as they don't have extra savings to live the whole year
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Aug 03, 2016 01:24pm
@Suhaib
Agreed. Only victims can understand the real situation... who are talking in favour of Arabs doesn't have reality check or never been out of their town, they are just the agents.
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Aug 03, 2016 04:27pm
The govt should also set up centers in major pakistani cities for returning Pakistanis who have worked in Arab countries and have not been paid by their employers. The govt should take up their cases of unpaid wages with respective governments and no hunting permits should be issued untill these countries pay up. I believe these claims will add up to hundred of millions of dollars. We can,t let these workers down when they need our help.
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Aug 03, 2016 04:37pm
@Nadeem .Were you a undocumented person with no legal status in USA. You are the first person I have heard who has left USA and migrated to Saudi Arabia . There must be something else which you are not sharing with us.
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Aug 03, 2016 05:21pm
@Abdulla Hussain .The reason they hire South Asian workers is the cheap labor and no benefits. I don,t believe you have worked in any Arab country, otherwise you would not be saying these things. These people work under very harsh conditions where the average temperature during the day is over 115 degrees. They live in groups to save money on rent and food. The food prices in SA are three times higher than USA.The country does not have any labor laws to protect worker's rights and no overtime is paid if they work over 40 hours a week under international rules.There are many unscruplous employers who cheat employees and don,t pay their wages.If the employer has liquidity issues, why keep them on the workforce? There is no such thing as free lunch.The problem is local arabs don,t want to work and the govt does not care about the well being of foreign workers. Its our govts job to protect their rights and make sure they are treated with respect and paid on time without any delay.
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