Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi, who arrived in Jeddah Wednesday night, said in an exclusive interview Thursday that he was happy to be in the Kingdom at a time when Saudi Arabia is celebrating its National Day. “It is a great country,” he told the Saudi Gazette. “Our ties with Saudi Arabia are one of the best relations that have been furthered and strengthened following the visit to India by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. “There has been a huge increase in bilateral investments, trade and business. India also considers and values the relations with Saudi Arabia as very important for the progress and development of both countries.” The Indian minister said he is scheduled to meet Acting Governor of Riyadh Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz and Acting Labor Minister Abdul Wahid Al-Humaid in the capital. He will also go to Durban to attend the Fifth Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD – Overseas Indians Day) celebrations from Oct. 1-2. According to him, there are nearly 25 million Indians abroad. The total in the Gulf reaches almost five million, of which close to two million are in Saudi Arabia, the largest number of Indians in the Gulf. “Saudi Arabia tops in the number of overseas Indians holding Indian passport, followed by the UAE. But among countries where they have become citizens of the host country, the United States comes first,” explained Ravi. The minister, who has “come to see and talk to the Indians here and understand their problems and issues first hand,” said earlier there were many problems, which have come down very much. “There are very limited problems now. So I am very happy,” he said, and added, “The Saudi government has taken certain steps and we have also taken some measures in India to reduce the issues.” He said things have improved after the Abu Dhabi Dialogue with different Gulf countries, which “was an interesting dialogue” at the initiative of the International Labor Organization (ILO). A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the welfare and protection of Indian workers was signed. The UAE government was the first to sign the MoU, “a wonderful agreement,” which protected the rights of the workers, he said, adding that whatever conditions are agreed upon mutually by the workers and the sponsors have to be implemented. “The MoU is very effective in maintaining those conditions,” he said. “The MoU is doing very well, and complaints have come down. Domestic servants' complaints have also come down fast. The Saudi government has taken many positive steps to protect the workers.” He has learnt of a new problem wherein the sponsor issues a visa and after the worker arrives he cancels and sells it again, leaving the worker without a sponsor thus rendering his status illegal. “The worker comes legally, but unfortunately becomes illegal because of the sponsor's mischief,” he said. He described it as “a serious issue which will be taken up. I believe the government will not allow such ‘visa trade,' to go on, as it cannot be encouraged,” Ravi said. Indian workers, he said, are at the mercy of the sponsors. “We felt that human rights were being denied to them, and they were exploited,” he said, and stressed: “We know it is not with the knowledge of the governments but individual sponsors are responsible.” The minister stressed that the Saudi and other governments in the Gulf are tackling the problems of the workers. “These countries consider the contribution of Indian workers as very valuable because they are also party to the building of the host nations. They appreciate the labor put by the workers and are always ready to solve any issue that arises,” he said. “The only complaints are against the sponsors and their violations of the contracts.” As minister for overseas Indian affairs for five years, he said his “knowledge, especially about Gulf workers, is not new.” Ravi has issued directives to State governments in India to prosecute any agent who misleads workers and takes money, arrest him and put him in jail. “This has also helped decrease the number of exploitation cases,” he added. He said a fund – Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) – has been created. Initially money was given from the ministry budget to 17 countries. With an increase in demand from such countries as Libya, the number has been raised to 42. For any consular service an equivalent of Rs 100 has to be contributed by Indians to the Fund, which is under the “control, and custody” of the ambassador. It is used to give shelter, food, return tickets, to needy workers – and for flying dead bodies home. Asked about Investment facilities for overseas Indians, he said on every Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, held annually in New Delhi, a face-to-face meeting is held with overseas Indians, chief ministers of the states, and the Indian government ministers. Moreover, chief ministers hold meetings with overseas Indians outlining business and investment opportunities in their state. “The PBD is the best time, day and platform for overseas Indians to interact with the authorities and decide what they want to do. The forthcoming event will be from Jan. 7 to 9, 2011,” he said. “Another thing that I am considering, is return and resettlement project for those who come back. A contributory scheme is being discussed, which will go to create a fund that will be used to help them on their return. They will definitely get more than what they have contributed,” he added. The Gulf overseas Indians are investing mainly in the hospital, hospitality, meetings and conventions sectors, the minister said. Ravi said a global “think tank” of 25 overseas Indians, chaired by the Prime Minister, has been established, with two persons from the Gulf – Yusuf Ali, and P.N.C. Menon – to advice on all matters relating to India's engagement with the overseas Indian community. An important member is the steel king Mittal. Also, a PIO (People of Indian Origin) University has been sanctioned for Manipal Group, proposed to be established in Bangalore. He did not give details as a court case has been pending in Kerala High Court. “I don't want to comment on that. A stay has come so we have stopped everything.”
