Six Indians, five from Punjab and one from Himachal Pradesh, are unable to leave Saudi Arabia because their employer has allegedly refused to extend their visas.

The workers have not ventured beyond their living quarters because they are afraid of being caught by the local police, according to a leading Indian daily. The men claim they are virtual prisoners.

The group includes Gurmit Singh of Nalhoti (Ropar), Daljit Singh of Mustapur (Jalandhar), Jasvir Singh of Gurbaxpura, Kishori Lal of Kangra, Harpreet Singh and Gurvinder Singh of Nawa Pind (Batala).

Jaspal Singh, a travel agent working at Aman Enterprises, confirmed that he had issued the tickets for the men to travel to Saudi Arabia in September last year, with visas valid for three months.

Singh told the newspaper that one of the Indian workers had contacted him over the phone, complaining how despite working for three months they were not paid their salaries.

“Before traveling, we were promised good jobs, but for three months we were just made to run petty errands and paid only to fulfill our basic needs,” said Gurvinder Singh.

“Company officials have not even issued us identity cards nor renewed our visas. Our passports are also with them. When we voice our complaints, we are told to speak to the agent who sent us here,” Singh said, adding that even the travel agent had refused to listen to their grievances.

Daljit Singh said they all belonged to poor families and had borrowed money to go abroad, but were defrauded by the agent.

On the other hand, Jaspal Singh, the agent, denied any wrongdoing on his behalf.

“I have been sending people abroad for 15 years. Such an issue has never arisen before,” he said.

“The group was sent through the proper channels. If they do not get good jobs soon, I will return their money.”