Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Mar 14: Four young men hailing from Mangaluru, Uppinangady and Chikkamagluru who were stranded in Al-Ras, Saudi Arabia for the last one year have reached their hometowns, thanks to the timely assistance provided by Karnataka Cultural Foundation (KCF).

Ashraf Minara of SYS addressing a press meet here on Tuesday March 14 said, "Harshith, Lathish, both residents of Mangaluru, Sharif from Kolpe, Uppinangady, and Saman Sab of Chikkamagluru were provided shelter and protection by KCF when they faced atrocities from their Saudi employers."

A group of nine men had gone to Saudi following assurance by a recruiting agent that they would receive excellent salary there. The employer who promised to pay their salaries at the end of each month allegedly harassed them without paying salaries for five months. The employers had not provided necessary documents for their work and were holding their passports too. The men were in dire straits without shelter and food. Meanwhile, a reader informed of their plight to KCF mouthpiece 'Gulf Ishara'.

KCF office bearers met the men on the basis of the information. They consoled them and arranged for their journey back to India. As the four youths did not have passports, KCF workers helped them for about six months till their travel documents were prepared.

KCF leaders Saleem Kanyadi, Habeeb Addooru, Al-Ras KCF unit's Isaaq Ba Hasani, Faizul Mata, Haider Irfani, Ibrahim, Basheer Karkalasha Naushad Atooru, Samshuddin, Sajid, Abdul Rehman Vitla, Hassan Madani and other members helped the four youths reach home.

"As localization is in progress in Saudi and other Gulf countries, many people are facing unstable future. Those who are going to the Gulf for the first time, should be cautious against becoming victims of cheating by agents," said Ashraf Kinara.

Lathish, Sharif and Saman Sab who returned to their hometown after facing hardship in Saudi were present in the press meet.