Keralam Assembly: Govt. has put in place measures to address concerns of expatriates in Saudi, says CM

Kerala has one of the highest concentrations of Indian workers in the Middle East, with millions of Keralites employed in Saudi Arabia across sectors such as construction, domestic work, and services. The Non‑Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) department was created to serve the needs of this diaspora, handling issues ranging from passport renewal to legal assistance. In a recent assembly session, Minister R. B. Vijayakumar Satheesan reported that the state government maintains regular contact with expatriate associations, the Indian embassy in Riyadh, and the consulate in Jeddah to monitor problems faced by workers.

The dialogue focuses on several pressing matters, including delayed wages, contract violations, and the health and safety of workers during the COVID‑19 pandemic. By coordinating with Saudi authorities and Indian diplomatic channels, the Kerala government hopes to secure timely grievance redressal and ensure that workers receive the benefits promised by their employers. The NORKA department also provides a helpline and online portal where expatriates can lodge complaints and receive guidance on legal recourse.

For readers throughout India, the initiative highlights the importance of the Gulf economy to the country's remittance inflows, which support millions of families and contribute significantly to national foreign exchange earnings. Effective handling of expatriate issues can improve the reputation of Indian workers abroad and encourage a more stable flow of labor, which in turn benefits both the host country and the Indian economy.