DMK president M. Karunanidhi Thursday urged the central and the Tamil Nadu state governments to act to protect the livelihood of workers from the state who have been affected by the new labour law in Saudi Arabia.
In a statement issued here, Karunanidhi said a large number of Tamil workers have been working in Saudi Arabia, and living with their families there.
"The central and the state governments should intervene and take steps to protect their livelihood, so they can continue to live there," Karunanidhi said.
As per Saudi Arabia's new law called Nitaqat, companies have to employ a minimum of 10 percent local work force in their operations. This has resulted in a fear that thousands of Indians may lose their jobs and be forced to return home.
According to Karunanidhi, around 60,000 Indians will be sent back to India by July 3.
Karunanidhi said nearly 120,000 Tamils working in Kuwait face a similar situation in that country.
