Saudi labour law helpful to expatriates: Ravi

The Minister of Overseas Indian Affiars said that the Indian community has to abide by the law of the land.

Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi has welcomed the new Saudi labour law, and said it would prove to be "very helpful" to the expatriates.

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Ravi, who is currently on a visit to Gulf countries, said in Jeddah that King Abdullah's visit to India in January was a landmark event, when he attended the Republic Day parade as the chief guest.

The King described India as his second home reflecting his desire to strengthen and deepen bilateral ties.

Ravi, who earlier visited Bahrain and the UAE, said he was aware of workers' problems, but the Indian community has to abide by the law of the land.

A major problem is the fraudulent manner in which the workers are recruited in India, he said adding, his immediate priority is to streamline the recruitment system, check and prevent fraud.

One of the measures that is being proposed is to amend the 1983 Immigration Act and to check fraudulent recruitment, he said. Several measures proposed would address the issue of mistreatment of maids, he said.