4 Indian sailors cleared to leave Saudi Arabia after employer row

The embassy thanked Saudi authorities for their support in facilitating the crew members' departure.

Four Indian sailors stranded in Saudi Arabia following a dispute with their employer have been cleared to leave the country after assistance from the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.

In a post on X on Wednesday, November 11, the embassy said it had helped the crew members complete their sign-off formalities. They will fly back to India following the completion of the procedures.

The embassy thanked Saudi authorities for their support and wished the sailors a safe journey and a happy reunion with their families. However, it did not disclose the name of the vessel, the employer or the nature of the dispute.

The development comes amid other cases of Indian seafarers facing difficulties abroad. In October, 10 Indian sailors were among 12 crew members stranded aboard the diving support vessel Crocodile 001 at Yanbu Commercial Port in Saudi Arabia. The International Labour Organization’s abandonment database recorded that the crew had been owed four months’ wages. An update dated October 8 reported that a seafarer who had sought assistance had been repatriated, while outstanding wages remained unpaid.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh assists Indian nationals facing employment-related grievances and coordinates with Saudi authorities to address their concerns.