

Saudi Arabia’s latest decision has upset Indians employed in kingdom. Saudi Arabia has decided to slap a ‘family tax’ on expats from July 1.Indians will have to pay a monthly 'dependant fee' of 100 riyals, (around Rs 1,700) per month for each dependent. This tax is likely to increase by 100 riyals per dependant every year till 2020.This decision will burden Indian expats in Saudi Arabia and are now sending their families back.Migrant rights activist Bheem Reddy Mandha told TOI several people had already sent their families back in the past four months. "The men have become forced bachelors," he said.Those expats get visa who are earing 5,000 riyals per month.So, for a family of three dependants, an Indian expat will have to pay an advance tax of 3,600 riyals or around Rs 62,000 per year.Asked what effect the 'dependant fee' would have on Indian expats in Saudi Arabia, a senior official in the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said nothing could be said as yet. "But it will affect all expats," the MEA official told TOI.