JEDDAH, 10 May 2006 — For Mao, power flowed from the barrel of a gun. For Congressmen in India, it flows from 10, Janpath. That is Sonia Gandhi’s address in the Indian capital. Of course, she is not the prime minister but the millions of party faithful across the country know full well that it was she who single-handedly got the party into power. Her word is therefore law to her followers. Naturally, those who are either close to her or are perceived as having her ear are seen as the most powerful people in the corridors of power.
Vayalar Ravi, the federal minister of overseas Indian affairs, is powerful because he is Sonia Gandhi’s trusted lieutenant. He has always been a loyal Gandhi family supporter and a staunch secularist. His following cuts across all religions. In his home state of Kerala, he commands a large following and was once the state’s home minister. Some thought he would have been an ideal chief minister when the state’s two other powerful politicians, K. Karunakaran and A.K. Antony, were at loggerheads. And because he is so close to Sonia, there are high expectations by the Indians in the Gulf that he will be able to deliver. Ever since he took over as minister of overseas Indian affairs, Ravi, now in his 60s, has infused new life into an otherwise toothless ministry.
Coming from Kerala has given him a rare insight into the problems of Indians in the Gulf because Keralites are the majority of the Indian expatriate work force. He is aware of the problems affecting the Indian community in the Gulf and so is trying to focus on Gulf countries to alleviate the sufferings and problems of the Indian labor force. He was in Jeddah this week and Arab News sat down in order to get his views. Following are excerpts of the interview.
Q: What brings you to Saudi Arabia?
A: I have given my first priority to the Gulf region simply because a large number of Indians are working here. The scenario here is totally different from that in the US or in the West. The problems of Indians here are different from those in the West. My government attaches a great deal of importance to the region. I had a meeting with eight ambassadors in Doha (the Qatari capital) recently and we discussed in detail different issues. I am here to get a firsthand impression of the problems facing the large Indian community in Saudi Arabia.
Q: Before taking up your assignment as minister of overseas Indians, did you have an idea about the problems of the Indian community?
A: I was fully aware of the problems. No doubt about that. The main problem is that of exploitation of Indian workers. There are two types of problems. One is that of Indian workers who come here the legal way — by signing a contract in India. In the past, employers here fulfilled the promises and commitments they made in those contracts. Recently, however, our workers arrive here and are forced to sign a new contract, much different from the one they signed in India. The most significant difference is that the salary in the contract signed in India is greater than the salary in the contract signed here. The workers’ passports are taken away from them and they have no option but to sign a new contract. The second problem is that of workers who come here on the so-called visit, or free, visa. That is an illegal way of coming here. They land here and soon they are no more than bonded labor. They can’t go away once their passports are taken and that is a major problem. I have already announced that we will amend the law in our country and the new law will have more teeth. Whoever recruits workers fraudulently in India will be punished. However, the problem will be solved if action is taken on both ends. This is what I am trying to impress upon Gulf governments. Bahrain and the UAE are already moving in this direction. That is why I said in the Saudi media that the new labor law is a great thing. It is labor-friendly. It is a very important development.
Q: The visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to India has elevated Saudi-India ties. What does this friendship mean to the average Indian working here?
A: The king’s visit was an important milestone in the history of the region. It made an impact throughout the world, especially in the West. India is being taken seriously because it is emerging as a very big economy. It provides a great opportunity for Saudi investors to invest there and benefit from our booming economy. Saudi Arabia is a force to reckon with in the region and the coming together of Saudi Arabia and India is a big development which both countries will gain immensely from. It will be mutually beneficial. It enhances India’s position in the region and in the world at large. It will improve relations on a number of fronts, whether cultural, employment or education. It automatically raises the profile of Indians working here in Saudi Arabia.
Q: There are reports of Indians being held in Saudi jails. What can you do about them?
A: It would not be fair for me to comment on the system here. When Indians violate Saudi law, they get arrested. The law of the land will take its course. Whatever help the consulate or the embassy can extend will be, and is being, extended. Every week they provide legal advice wherever necessary. The unfortunate aspect is that when Indians end up in Saudi jails, neither the Indian Embassy not the Indian consulates are immediately informed. They often get the information from the arrested men’s relatives or colleagues. This is a matter we will discuss with our ambassador and the consul general and also with the Saudi government. It is a sad state of affairs.
Q: Our understanding is that the embassy and consulates cannot become involved in some cases because of the prohibitively high legal fees.
A: The government of India has made budgetary provisions in all Gulf countries to engage law firms or lawyers for giving legal counseling to affected workers. This new concession will be given to Indian workers beginning this month. It will be in the form of a once-a-month two-hour sessions open to all Indians. (Indian Consul General Dr. Ausaf Sayeed informed later that Nader Associates have been appointed as the legal consultants.)
Q: You were quoted as saying that there will be a new university for NRI students where they will be able to pursue higher education in India. Can you please tell us more about that?
A: For a university to be set up, the government has to pass a bill in Parliament. A decision in principle has been taken. This was announced by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh himself. It is a good idea and will go a long way toward addressing the educational problems of the children of non-resident Indians in the Gulf.
Q: What is the one major problem that you have heard from Indians in Saudi Arabia?
A: High air fare. That is a major complaint. I will meet the minister concerned and sort out this problem. I want to assure Indians here that mine is no ceremonial post. The government knows the enormity of the problems and we are serious about settling them.
