SOS app launched for Indian workers in distress in UAE

Abu Dhabi: The Consulate General of India in Dubai launched an SOS mobile phone app for Indian workers in distress, a media report said.

Developed in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Digital India initiative, Indian labourers in Dubai and Northern Emirates can now avail help on their finger tips with the SOS button, Khaleej Times reported on Friday.

Named 'CGI Dubai', the app's launch was announced on Thursday, on the eve of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

"It will carry information about all the activities and services that we do. Whether it is consular, passport, visa, cultural or even business and commercial aspects," Anurag Bhushan, Consul-General of India in Dubai and Northern Emirates, was quoted as saying.

"It is targeted at all sections of the community but I am particularly concerned about the blue-collar workers because of the particular circumstances they live in…," Bhushan said.

"So we have this functionality of a SOS button that will allow every member of the Indian community, in particular the blue collar workers, 24×7 access to the consulate through a free call when they have any problems," he added.

When a worker presses the SOS button, a direct call to the 24X7 toll free number of the Indian Workers' Resource Centre (IWRC) is made. IWRC then forwards the issue/ complaint to the missions.

"We also have a message-enabled access to us. If a worker wants, he can send messages via the app. His application will be registered and a unique ID number will be generated for tracking it," Bhushan said.