Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed are expected to leave for Saudi Arabia. The visit of the two ministers will take place when Saudi Labour Minister Adel Fakieh, who is currently out of country, returns to the Kingdom.

The Indian External Affairs Ministry is also in touch with the Indian Mission in Saudi Arabia.

Indian diplomats in Saudi Arabia have rushed to Damam province, where Saudi labour ministry officials have conducted raids to detect illegal workers. The Indian embassy in Riyadh has been directed to post additional staff in Damam to assist Indian workers who are being scrutinized by the local authorities.

Around two million Indians are working in various capacities in Saudi Arabia. Under the new law, private companies are required to provide 10 percent jobs to locals. This will affect around 300,000 Indians, mainly from Kerala, who are enganged in semi-skilled jobs in the Kingdom.

The Saudi government says the 'nitaqat' system is meant to boost employment for locals in the private sector.