A leading Indian scholar has met top Saudi officials to highlight concerns about the well-being of Indian workers in the wake of the country's latest Saudization drive.

All India Sunni Jamiathul Ulama General Secretary Sheikh Abu Baker Ahmed had discussions recently with Saudi Deputy Labor Minister and the Director of Labor Affairs Ahmad Humaidan at the minister’s office in Riyadh.

Humaidan assured Ahmed that Indian workers would not be adversely affected by the Nitaqat program. The two men also spoke about the long relationship between the two nations and the role of the Indian community in building Saudi Arabia.

The scholar asked the deputy minister to provide enough time for workers not working under their sponsors to correct their status and to simplify procedures for them to change their professions.

The scholar also asked him to help “Huroob” violators to leave the country before the present grace period expires so that they can look for jobs again in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. The deputy minister said he would ask the Minister of Labor to help solve these problems amicably.

The scholar also met Prince Khaled Al-Faisal.

Dr. Abdul Hakim Azhari, Dr. Hussain Saqafi Chullikkode and Gammon Group Chairman Sheikh Mohammed Rafeeq accompanied the scholar to the meetings.