Nitaqat law: Karunanidhi seeks intervention of Centre, state governments'

CHENNAI: DMK chief M Karunanidhi today sought intervention of the Centre and state governments' to take steps and protect the livelihood of thousands of Tamil labourers living in Saudi Arabia following that nation's implementation of 'Nitaqat' labour laws.


"These are people who have been living and working there with their families for years together after migrating there. We want the Centre and state governments to come forward to help them stay there. So, I urge the Centre and state governments to intervene in this issue and help them stay there and protect their livelihood," he said in a statement.

The 'Nitaqat' law, meant to regularise foreign workers, makes it mandatory for local companies to hire one Saudi national for every 10 migrant workers. Those who fail to find another job or a sponsor have to go back. There is widespread perception that this policy would lead to denial of job opportunities for a large number of Indians working there.

Karunanidhi pointed out that over 60,000 Indian workers, including many Tamils, are about to be deported from Saudi Arabia before July 3 and added that most of the 1.20 lakh Tamils in Kuwait are also facing a similar situation.