N. Subramaniam, 51, from Tamil Nadu came to work in Tabuk in 1998. He came on a so-called “free visa” where he is allowed to do any job he can find as long as he pays a monthly commission to the individual who brought him to the country.

The Indian Consulate General in Jeddah helped Subramaniam go home with the support of some social workers in Tabuk.

Subramaniam’s first two years went well. After that he could not locate his sponsor and lost contact with him. He did not know who to approach because of his illiteracy and ignorance of local regulations.

"The worker had come to the Kingdom leaving his wife and two children, including a newborn daughter," S.D. Moorthy, consul at the Indian Consulate in Jeddah, told Arab News on Sunday. “The daughter is 13 years old now."

"Since 1990, he was doing menial jobs to eke out a living. He lost touch with his family also. Due to poverty, his son dropped out of school and is now working as a farm laborer."

Moorthy added that Subramaniam’s family thought he had died in Saudi Arabia.

He recently fell sick and his condition was brought to the Indian Consulate’s attention by Tabuk Indian Community Welfare member Ali Master.

Moorthy said when the case was brought to his notice, the mission made prompt arrangements for his travel to Jeddah from Tabuk.

When he was brought to the mission, Moorthy said he was suffering from arthritis and other medical complications such as diabetes and hypertension.

He was given the requisite medical treatment by the consulate. Jeddah Tamil Sangam’s (JTS) Secretary Mohammed Siraj provided financial assistance and other necessary support to Subramaniam.

As his health condition improved, the consulate took up the case with the Saudi authorities for his immediate deportation on humanitarian grounds.

"The Jawazat (passport department) and Tarheel (detention center) officials were highly cooperative and extended all assistance to Subramaniam for his safe repatriation," the diplomat said, adding that the cost of the air ticket was paid for by the mission.