Krishnankurry Nair, a 54-year-old driver, died in a traffic accident in April at Al-Darb in Najran when he hit a camel.
S.D. Moorthy, consul for labor welfare at the consulate, told Arab News that the sponsor demanded a compensation of SR40,000 from Nair’s family for the loss of his car which was a write-off.
The diplomat explained that the sponsor has to sign a set of documents to process the repatriation of the body. He said Nair’s sponsor refused to sign the papers unless he was paid the amount.
“He is also not prepared to pay the rightful dues to Nair, who had served him for such a long time,” he added.
Nair hailed from Kidangoor, Kottayam, in the south Indian state of Kerala. He is survived by his wife and three children.
The consulate has agreed to bear the repatriation costs.
“We have been trying to persuade the sponsor to cooperate with the consulate through his close friends and social workers but still he is insisting on compensation for his car,” Moorthy said.
He said the Foreign Ministry and the Najran governorate have been contacted for assistance to resolve the case.
Nair’s family is in great distress, the official said. “It is unfortunate that the sponsor has no sympathy for a poor expatriate driver who had worked for him for a long period.”
