Steps taken to repatriate stranded Keralites in Saudi Arabia

With a large number of Keralites stranded inSaudi Arabia after they lost their jobs, the Non Resident KeralaAffairs (NORKA) department has taken preliminary, steps to enable the trapped Keralites to return home, the state government said tonight.
An official release tonight said the NORKA would also take steps to get the employees their salary arrears.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayandeputed the NORKA Secretary to take steps to coordinate with the External Affairs Ministry on the Saudi crisis.
Vijayan, in an official release, asked the Secretary to take urgent steps to initiate works in co-ordination with the Indian embassy and Malayali organisations in Saudi Arabia.

NORKA said the External Affairs Ministry had informed that it would provide necessary help to those who want to return home.
It would prepare within two days a list of persons who wish to come back from Saudi.

The release said that about 700 Keralites were in the five labour camps after the company run by a Libyan national was closed down.
Over 10,000 Indians have lost their jobs in Saudi Arabia in the last few months due to the economic slowdown triggered by low oil prices.
Scores have not received wages for several months as their employers have closed down factories.