Saudi visit advisory: Avoid black magic

THE SAUDI LAW WARRANTS THAT EMPLOYERS BEAR EXPENSES SUCH AS VISA FEE AND AIR TICKETS FOR FOREIGN EMPLOYEES

NEW DELHI: Delete any obscene content from your phone and laptop, and ensure that nothing you carry gives the impression that you indulge in black magic.

These are among a list of dos and don’ts announced by the government for people heading to Saudi Arabia for jobs.

Saudi Arabia is home to the largest number of Indians going abroad, with around 30 lakh people emigrating for jobs.

“Do not carry items prohibited/forbidden in Saudi Arabia. Do not store any prohibited/ obscene material on your phone/laptop etc,” said the advisory, which includes information on how people can get accustomed to local customs and laws that are often punishable with jail time if flouted.

Sorcery and witchcraft are banned in the kingdom and punishable with severe penalties including death. Accordingly, the advisory says, do not carry any ‘taweez’ (amulets) or black thread that could be construed as part of black magic rituals.

“Narcotic drugs, food items containing pork, poppy seeds, khat leaves pan masala, and text related to any religion other than Islam” figure on the list of items the government wants people to avoid.

“The revised and updated pre-departure instructions are aimed at ensuring Indian nationals are familiar with their job contracts, local laws and what they need to do should they face a problem,” said an Indian official.

Indians have been warned about Recruitment Agents (RAs), who could dupe them in a number of ways such as by not handing over their contracts or inflating their fees.

According to new guidelines, RAs cannot take a service charge of more than ₹20,000.

The Saudi law warrants that employers bear expenses such as visa fee and air tickets for foreign employees.

They have been told to ensure the employment makes a mention of these details in both Arabic and English before a person leaves India.

The Labour ministry of Saudi Arabia now gives free phone SIM card to all foreign employees.

The government has advised Indian workers heading to Saudi Arabia to carry a mobile phone — “preferably an inexpensive smart phone.”

Indians have been advised “not to return to the kingdom on any kind of visa including employment, Haj and Umrah visas if any criminal case is pending against you”.