Families Allege Job Fraud, Passport Seizure and Extortion; Around 130 More Women Reportedly Stranded in Muscat
Ashok Kaura
Phagwara , October 3: Two Punjabi women from Jalandhar and Kapurthala districts, who were allegedly stranded and subjected to exploitation in Oman after being promised jobs, have returned safely to India following intervention by Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal.
The two women had travelled to Muscat earlier this year after being promised well-paid jobs. However, according to their families, they faced harassment, threats, alleged physical abuse and demands for money after reaching Oman. The families had approached Sant Seechewal with written complaints seeking the safe return of their daughters and also lodged complaints with the police.
Speaking to the media after their return, the women claimed that around 130 other women were still stranded in Muscat and waiting to return to India. They also said that they had been taken to Oman through Mumbai airport.
A woman from Jalandhar district said she had travelled to Oman in March this year after a woman named Mariam allegedly promised her a job at a beauty parlour with a monthly salary of Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000. After reaching Oman, she alleged, Mariam took possession of her passport on the pretext of extending her visa and subsequently refused to return it. She further alleged that she was threatened with being prevented from returning to India unless Rs 2 lakh was paid.
According to the family, the woman was promised employment at a beauty parlour with a monthly salary of around Rs 35,000, but after reaching Oman, she was allegedly pressured to engage in activities other than the work she had been promised. The family alleged that she faced physical assault and mental harassment after resisting, while her passport was also allegedly taken away. They further alleged that repeated demands for money ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 35,000 were made and that the family was threatened with serious consequences.
The family said it had to sell its motorcycle to arrange money for the safety and return of their daughter. They approached Sant Seechewal’s office on July 1 seeking assistance. Following sustained efforts, the woman returned safely to India on September 7.
In the second case, involving a woman from Kapurthala district, the family said their daughter had been taken to Oman through a woman named Anju, who was from their village, on the assurance that she would be employed in domestic work. The family said that everything remained normal for about two months, after which the woman fell ill and allegedly did not receive proper medical treatment or medicines.
The family alleged that Rs 1 lakh was demanded for sending the woman back to India and that she would not be allowed to return if the money was not paid. The family claimed it mortgaged its house and arranged Rs 1 lakh, which was handed over to the concerned persons. Despite this, they alleged that further demands for money were made and that the family was also pressured to send more girls to Oman.
The Kapurthala family approached Sant Seechewal on August 11 for help in securing their daughter’s return. Following his intervention and efforts, the woman returned safely to India on August 23.
The families expressed gratitude to Sant Seechewal and his team for helping bring their daughters back safely.
Talking to journalists, Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal said cases involving alleged human trafficking and exploitation in the name of overseas employment were a matter of serious concern. He urged governments to take prompt and effective action in such cases and advised people to thoroughly verify agents, visas, job offers and workplaces before sending family members abroad.
Around 190 Women Brought Back Safely So Far
Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal said that efforts were being continuously made to assist Punjabis stranded or facing difficulties abroad. According to information shared by his office, around 190 women have so far been brought back safely to India with his intervention, including women who were allegedly stranded or subjected to exploitation in different countries.
Also Read: Indian envoy to Oman meets 20 rescued MT Jalveer crew ahead of repatriation
