Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today sought the Centre’s help for a rehabilitation package for those returning from Saudi Arabia in the wake of a new labour policy, seeking to reserve 10 per cent jobs for locals, in that country.

Speaking to mediapersons here, Chandy said that besides the rehabilitation package, the Centre should also bear the cost of the tickets for those returning from that country.

Chandy, who discussed the matter with Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed here at a function, also sought the participation of banks in the programme.

Ahamed had yesterday said the Centre would take up next week the issue of a comprehensive compensation package for those returning from Saudi Arabia.

The new labour policy ‘Nitaqat’ is being implemented in Saudi Arabia as part of localisation of jobs in the private sector.

The ‘Nitaqat’ law makes it mandatory for local companies to hire one Saudi national for every 10 migrant workers. There has been widespread perception that the new policy will lead to denial of job opportunities for a large number of Indians, especially from Kerala, working there.

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