Saudi- 2,000 Indian expats don't remember their iqama numbers

(MENAFN- Arab News)  At least 2,000 Indian expatriates living in the Western Province have not been able to avail themselves of the concessions announced by Custodian of Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah, as they do not remember their iqama numbers. Revealing this at a gathering of Indian community at the International Indian School in Jeddah on Sunday, Consul General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, who spoke on various issues, said such expatriates were not in a position to record their biometric data required to leave the Kingdom or to switch jobs and find new employers. The Indian mission, he said, would be taking up the matter with the Saudi authorities and see how the problem can be sorted out. Stating that the Indian Consulate was working round the clock to extend all help to the community, he said the mission, however, would not be in a position to help anyone who failed to adhere to the July 3 deadline. Reminding the gathering that Indian expats had earned the reputation of being a law-abiding community, Kidwai said it was essential that they maintain the good record. "It is imperative that the Indian expatriates abide by local laws. And if they want to avail themselves of the concessions, they should do so by modifying their job status according to their work and also ensure that they adhere to the sponsorship rules and regulations," he said, adding that those who are not in a position to regularize their status can leave the Kingdom without paying any penalty.