As many as 5,000 Indian expats have been employed in various fields and by different companies following proactive measures taken by the Indian Consulate to help Indians affected by the new labor laws.
Indian Consul General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai said yesterday that since the announcement of the grace period, the consulate had vigorously taken up a drive to help eligible Indians find employment.
The success ratio was fairly high with candidates ranging from labor to engineers, who had been declared “absconders” by their sponsors or those who fall under the red Nitaqat zone and even those who had not been able to renew their iqamas with their current sponsors, finding suitable jobs, he said, adding that everyday hundreds of candidates were being interviewed by potential employers in the consulate premises.
Stating that over a dozen employers including high-profile business houses and industrial organizations were deputing their representatives to the consulate to conduct spot interviews, he said many business organizations had also set up recruitment stalls in the consulate premises. The consulate hoped to far exceed the 5,000-mark by the end of the grace period, he said.
Job fairs will also be conducted on June 20 and June 27 with the intention of providing job opportunities to Indians who had been declared “huroob” or whose sponsors fall under red category or who have not been able to renew their iqamas with their current sponsors. These job fairs were expected to throw up another 4,000 jobs to eligible candidates.
5,000 Nitaqat-hit Indians find jobs
5,000 Nitaqat-hit Indians find jobs
Celestial spectacle in Saudi Arabia’s north on first day of Ramadan
- Venus-crescent moon alignment visible over Northern Borders Region skies
- Meteorology Center completes operational plan for the holy month
ARAR/JEDDAH: The holy month of Ramadan has commenced in Saudi Arabia with a striking astronomical display in the Northern Borders Region, setting a serene tone for the month as meteorological authorities confirmed full readiness to support pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
On Tuesday evening, the skies over Arar witnessed a rare alignment as the planet Venus paired with the slender crescent moon marking the first day of Ramadan. Appearing shortly after sunset, the crescent shimmered low on the western horizon above Venus — one of the brightest celestial bodies — in a display enhanced by clear skies.
While the conjunction is a recurring astronomical phenomenon caused by the apparent proximity of the two bodies as viewed from Earth, its coincidence with the start of the holy month added a special aesthetic and spiritual dimension to the atmosphere in the north, SPA said.
Meteorological readiness
As the faithful began their fasting, the National Center for Meteorology (NCM) announced the completion of its operational and technical preparations for Ramadan 1447 AH.
NCM Chief Executive Dr. Ayman bin Salem Ghulam confirmed that the center has finalized a comprehensive plan to ensure round-the-clock weather monitoring for Makkah, Madinah, and the roads leading to the Two Holy Mosques. The initiative aims to provide accurate forecasting to enhance the safety and comfort of the influx of visitors and Umrah pilgrims.
The plan includes heightened performance levels at observatories in the Kingdom’s airports to manage increased flight traffic and aviation safety.
To ensure pilgrims have real-time access to information, the NCM has integrated its data with the "Nusuk" and "Tawakkalna" smart applications. Ten-day extended forecasts and real-time alerts will also be available via the "Anwaa" app and displayed on guidance boards along highways.
The center has mobilized 14 media platforms to deliver swift weather alerts, ensuring high standards of security and logistical support throughout the season.
