Stranded Indian family finally repatriated

Five members of an Indian family in Saudi Arabia, who could not be repatriated during the amnesty period granted by authorities to illegal expatriates last year, have finally reached home.
Zahid Hussain's family, that hails from Maharashtra, was lodged in a deportation centre for nearly a month and their repatriation was delayed due to the pregnancy of Hussain's wife, Arab News reported today.
Hussain, who worked as a tailor in Hail in the Central region, sought arrest and deportation after coming to Jeddah with his wife and four children.
Hussain said he made the mistake of pushing his family's departure till the last minute to earn some extra money, besides miscalculating on the child's arrival. By the time his wife delivered, the November 3 deadline was over and they were stranded in the Kingdom.

The family wanted to return home during the grace period but failed as international civil aviation rules prevent pregnant women from undertaking a long journey.
The Indian Consulate later stepped in and requested authorities to expedite the process of repatriation.

He said: "My family has been deported and they have reached home."
Hussain, however, was not deported and continues to be lodged at the deportation centre as he holds a valid 'Iqama' or identity card issued to expatriates in Saudi Arabia.
"I don't know whether I will be released or deported, but my family is back in India and that is what I have been seeking for a long time," he said.

Following the implementation of a new labour policy in Saudi Arabia, a seven-month grace period was granted last year to illegal expatriates to either rectify their residency status or face deportation.
The new 'Nitaqat' law makes it mandatory for all Saudi companies to reserve 10 per cent of jobs for Saudi nationals.