"The Open House is an initiative launched by Ambassador Hamid Ali Rao with the primary mission to solve the problems of Indian expatriates on priority basis," said Surinder Bhagat, a spokesman for the Indian Embassy.

Ambassador Rao together with senior officials of the Indian  Embassy will be present for three hours from 9 a.m. at the Open House on Thursday, added Bhagat. "Indian workers can meet the ambassador and other senior embassy officers to present their views, discuss any consular problem, submit their applications, discuss labor-related issues or any other issue of individual or collective nature that affect the Indian diaspora," said Bhagat.

He also called on Indian nationals to comply with the rules and regulations of the host government to avoid problems. To this end, he noted that holding "public function of any nature needs prior approval of the concerned local authorities.”

A statement released by the Indian Embassy on this occasion said that the welfare wing of the embassy is busy in settling labor disputes between workers and Saudi sponsors through amicable negotiations, correspondence with Saudi sponsors and the local authorities. The embassy will also provide free interpretation services to Indian workers to pursue their cases in Riyadh, if necessary, said the statement.

This is in addition to facilitating repatriation of female workers and stranded Indians back to India. Periodic visits to various jails to see the conditions of inmates and to sort out problems on the basis of consular access granted by the Saudi government are other necessary procedures adopted by the welfare wing. In cases of deaths, the embassy talks to Saudi sponsors as well as local authorities to solve problems in order to facilitate quick burial or repatriation of bodies back home as and when necessary.

Bhagat said the consular officials visited Hafr Al-Batin Central Jail, Al-Kharj Jail and  Al-Hasa Deportation Center in the last three days to provide welfare and consular assistance to Indian nationals in those prisons. The aim was to facilitate issue of emergency certificates to them for their repatriation to India.