The Hindu : FICCI concern over Saudi move

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 19, 2003

Business

Business

FICCI concern over Saudi move

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI April 18. The FICCI today expressed concern over the move by the Saudi Arabian Government to replace foreign workers in 21 job sectors with Saudis in a phased manner.

In a communication sent to the External Affairs Minister, Yashwant Sinha, he described it as a "xenophobic'' move in this era of globalisation. Describing it as a grave development, he said this attempt by the Saudi Government would have "grave economic and social consequences in India and Kerala in particular''.

He urged the Government to start diplomatic processes at appropriate levels in response to the move to work out modalities for replacing foreign workers in 21 job sectors with Saudis in a phased manner. He pointed out that nearly four million Indians were working in West Asia, out of which about 40 per cent work in Saudi Arabia alone with the majority of them being Keralites. Citing the Thiruvanthapuram-based Centre for Development Studies, he said Keralites working in Saudi Arabia remitted more than Rs. 4 billions a month. The intended "Saudisation'' will be in readymade clothing children's toys, furniture, electrical and household appliance car showrooms etc.

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