VISHAKAPATNAM: The 24 workers stranded in Riyadh who were waiting for their exit letters from their employer company Aamal Al Muqawil Contracting Company (AMCO), are asked to repay the amount which is spent on their visa processing.

The workers alleged that they were living in miserable condition and the company officials are not even providing them food and water. Vexed over it, the workers appealed to the Saudi Arabia government and Indian Embassy.

The officials of the company asked the workers to stay back and promised them good working condition but the workers refused their proposal as a result the company demanded 1,200 riyals each, which was spent on the visa processing, if they want the exit letters.

The workers who belong to Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha got their Visas through Voltech Company in Chennai and flew to Riyadh in December last year now the company is holding parleys with the employer to get the exit letters and the company representative has promised them food and accommodation till the problem is solved. Srinivas, a stranded worker told the New Indian Express over the phone that. “Initially, he promised to take us back to India. After talking with the company officials, now he is trying to persuade us to re-join the company, but we have refused.”

“We have been running from pillar to post for the past 17 days but are yet to get any concrete assurance that we will be sent to India,” Srinivas added.

Dhava Selvan, regional manager (operations) of Voltech Saudi office said. “The company has lodged a complaint with the Indian embassy. Though the embassy asked the workers to re-join, promising a written letter guaranteeing good facilities at the work sites from the company officials, they refused to stay back.”

He added. “The issue is now between the embassy officials and the workers. If the embassy finds a valid reason, they will speak to the company to get the exit letters.”