Ambassador assures swift action after meeting Indian women sheltered by the mission following allegations of exploitation and unpaid wages
India’s Ambassador to Oman has assured prompt action to address the grievances of distressed Indian women working as domestic workers in the Gulf country, following renewed concerns over cases of abuse, exploitation and non-payment of wages.
Ambassador Prashant Pise met Indian women staying at a shelter operated by the Indian Embassy in Muscat after they either fled their employers’ homes or were abandoned. During the interaction, the women shared complaints ranging from unpaid salaries and poor working conditions to alleged harassment. The embassy said its Community Affairs team would take immediate steps to pursue their cases and seek an early resolution.
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The embassy provides free boarding and lodging to Indian nationals facing distress while working in Oman
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Officials said the outreach reflects the mission’s continued efforts to safeguard the welfare of vulnerable migrant workers and ensure they receive timely assistance
The meeting comes shortly after the case of Hyderabad resident Shabnam Begum drew attention in India. She alleged that she had travelled to Muscat after being promised a better-paid domestic job but was instead forced to work 12 to 15 hours a day across multiple households without receiving wages. She also claimed she was assaulted, denied adequate food and had her mobile phone confiscated before escaping and seeking refuge at the Indian Embassy. The mission has confirmed that it is pursuing the matter with the relevant authorities.
India has labour and manpower cooperation agreements with all six Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including Oman, to promote the welfare and protection of Indian workers through bilateral consultations. However, rights groups and policy experts have continued to raise concerns that migrant domestic workers remain vulnerable to exploitation despite these arrangements.
