By A M Arif Jokatte, Dammam

Riyadh, Sep 16:  India Fraternity Forum Riyadh Chapter reviewed the forum activities in the meeting held at Mannarkkadu Villa in 2nd Industrial City, Riyadh.

Fraternity Forum made resolutions on 320 complaints out of 600 Indians from different states staying in Riyadh.  IFF has been supporting Indians without any barriers. Most of the cases received by IFF are related to employment, non-payment of salary/end of service benefits, death cases , accidents , harassments by the sponsors  / employer,  diseases,  detained cases etc etc.. the list  adds on… 

Insufficient Docs & Violation of Saudi Law:-

Fraternity Forum condemned the recruitment of housemaids by unauthorized agents violating the ban imposed by Govt. of India.  India Fraternity Forum learnt that such cases always seen a tragic ending.

The Forum also recommended the employees coming to Saudi Arabia to confirm the proper employment contract & not to trust blindly on verbal promises.  The Forum urged non-employment visa holders such as family visa holders to avoid attempts to find jobs in Health sectors using fake certificates; which will result in heavy  punishments by Saudi Govt. such as hefty  penalty, prison and deportation.  IFF learnt that there are many Indian nurses, Lab-Technicians languishing in Saudi Jails held in such cases.  It is important to remind that resolutions on these sorts of cases are highly complicated.

There have been many Indians recruited as drivers mostly as house drivers. They drive on Saudi roads without valid Saudi Driving License and Insurance coverage.  Even though they drive as per Employer/Sponsor's instructions they will not get any helping hand from these employers/sponsors at the time of any road accidents / any unfortune incidents. In most of the cases Employers wash their hands in such cases.

Also there are companies commit to drive vehicles without valid licenses.  Many of these sorts of cases have come to our considerations. 

Human rights violations and denial of rights under Indian Employers also not less and the forum urges social workers to be fair in these sort s of cases, failure on fair approach may not suite to social workers.

Suicide Cases:-

Suicide attitude is growing in Non Resident Indian Community and the forum handled eight (8) cases in the last year alone.  The finance problems are the main reason in most of the cases.  The attempts to carry out unlimited responsibilities, ignorance of capabilities, depending on loans at high interest from unauthorized agencies or persons for the business and harassment are some of the reasons for suicide.  Unlimited demands from home are one of main reason for the suicide.
 
Awareness Campaign:-

All NRI are committed to follow the law of the kingdom till we remain in this country and we should be alert.  Recruitment agencies should stop recruiting people with Fake Visa and Fake Offers.
We urge Indian Government to proceed with serious actions against these agencies since these sort of cases are being increased every day.  All NRI should not encourage or entertain this sort of recruitments.

The forum urges all NRI organizations to help to make awareness within the community against the suicide attitude too.

The Forum recommends Indian Community to avoid taking risk to drive on Saudi roads without proper driving permit. Forum is planning to conduct an awareness campaign on this issue.

NRI Right to Vote:-

Riyadh India Fraternity Forum also joined the hand with Social Democratic Party of India in the struggle for NRI rights to vote in Indian Elections as the case is already filed in Kerala High Court.

Membership Drive:-

Riyadh India Fraternity Forum decided to distribute the memberships after the holy month of Ramadan.
The Forum Social Welfare In-Charge,  Ashraf Melattur presented the report and Secretary, Jalaludhin Kannur presented the financial report.
 
Salim Moulavi Al Qasimi presided the meeting.  State level presidents & Secretaries were present in the meet.  Fraternity Forum members from all the 15 states of India took part in the meet.
The Forum conveyed the sincere thanks Indian Embassy Staff, Business and Clinic Managements as well  as well wishers who stood with IFF in their humanitarian services.  

Mr.  Basheer Engapuzha, Mr. Haris Mannarkkad, Mr. Faizudhin Chennai, Mr. Abdul Majeed Vidla, Mr.  Siddiq Basha, Mr. Ilyas Hudey, the Fraternity Forum Coordinators also spoke on the occasion.
Riyadh India Fraternity Forum’s Humanitarian Services at a Glance

Mr. Srinivas sent back to Andhra Pradesh for Further Treatment

Riyadh: Venkat Sunder Srinivas of Vijayawada from Andhra Pradesh was working in Al Falah Construction Company since past two years. 

Srinivas

He met with an accident while working as a laborer here. His one leg received fractures as the heavy equipment JCB falls on him in work site. He was admitted to Mubarak hospital at Murabba, Riyadh.

Since he could not continue working, his brother Ramu had appealed the Sponsor to bear the medical expenses as well as deportation bills; which was denied by the latter.

Knowing the case Riyadh India Fraternity Forum (RIFF) Activists Karnataka Chapter Social Welfare Incharges Naushad Katipalla, Usman Kunjathoor and Other Activists studied the case thoroughly.  They were able to meet & convince the sponsor through Indian Embassy’s consent.

This resulted in solving the case. Even the medical expenses such as hospital bills were paid by the sponsor himself. Based on RIFF request the sponsor also agreed to grant Srinivas 6 months medical leave.
Thus on 04.09.09 RIFF succeeded in sending him to home country for further treatment.

Abdul Sattar sent to Mangalore  on harassment by Saudi  Sponsor

Abdul Satthar Kambalabettu Vittal, Mangalore was working in Dammam. He was facing a lot of problems from his sponsor who was Staying in Riyadh. Sponsor borrowed more than SR 7000 for his Resident Permit (Iqama) but Iqama not given to Sattar. Then he requested to his sponsor to Exit him to India. He agreed to send only by paying SR 5000. Subsequently he contacted Riyadh India Fraternity forum (RIFF) for help.

Abdul Sattar

RIFF took Authority letter from Indian Embassy to fight case with Sponsor. RIFF in charges met his sponsor & Spoke about this. Finally he agreed for SR 700.  RIFF was able to send Sattar safe back to his home land. Abdul Sattar did not forget the RIFF’s humanitarian services extended to him in his difficult times and he wrote a letter of gratitude to the Forum sitting in his home.

RIFF Karnataka Chapter, Social Welfare in Charges Naushad Katipalla, Yakoob Soorinje, Nawaz Soorinje and Abdul Majeed were the key persons who handled this case.

Syed Asadullah sent back to Mysore from Shimesi Jail

Syed Asadullah of Mysore was detained in Shimesi jail since 5 months over his  sponsorship issue.  His brother Noor contacted Riyadh india fraternity forum for help . RIFF arranged to met him in prison & supplied food. Regarding this case RIFF consulted Indian Embassy for Outpass. Through Outpass of Indian Embassy RIFF was able to send him back home.

Syed Asadullah

After reaching India he too wrote back the words of gratitude to the Forum & showed his interest to be a member of RIFF team.  Riyadh india fraternity forum Karnataka Chapter Social Welfare Incharge Naushad Katipalla, Usman Kunjathoor & Other RIFF activists were involved in solving his case.

Hamad Beary sent back to Mangalore from Saudi Jail

Hamad Siddiq Beary was suffering in Simeci jail since 4 months. He had a bad swelling on his leg. Riyadh India Fraternity Forum(RIFF) approached him, provided medicines & took his total care.
He was taken to the air port & brought back to the jail three times because of insufficient docs. Later this problem was solved upon requesting Captain Ahmed. Finally RIFF was succeeded to send him to India. After reaching home country, he also expressed his gratitude to the RIFF and also showed his interest to join hand with RIFF.

RIFF social welfare In charge Naushad Katipalla, Usman Kunjathoor and Ashraf Guruvankere were involved in solving this case.