Woman claims she was forced to work long hours without pay after being recruited for a housemaid job; Indian Embassy says it is taking up the matter with authorities
A 26-year-old woman from Hyderabad has sought assistance from the Indian Embassy in Muscat after alleging that she was subjected to abuse, unpaid labour and poor living conditions by her employer in Oman.
Shabnam Begum, a resident of Pahadi Shareef in Hyderabad, travelled to Muscat on March 26 after reportedly being promised a housemaid’s job with a monthly salary of 200 Omani riyals by a recruitment agent. However, she has alleged that the promises made before her departure were not honoured.
According to her appeal, she was made to work in several households for 12 to 15 hours a day instead of serving a single employer. She further claimed that she was denied proper food and accommodation and did not receive wages for more than three months. Shabnam also alleged that she was physically assaulted, prevented from contacting her family after her mobile phone was taken away, and that her passport was withheld by those who arranged her employment.
Unable to bear the alleged treatment, she said she escaped from her employer and sought refuge at the Embassy of India in Muscat, where she is currently awaiting assistance. In a video message circulated on social media and shared by Hyderabad-based politician Amjed Ullah Khan, she appealed to the Government of India to facilitate her return home and take action against the recruitment agent who allegedly misled her.
Responding to the appeal, the Embassy of India in Muscat confirmed that it had taken cognisance of the matter and was pursuing it with the appropriate authorities. Shabnam’s family has also urged the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure her safe repatriation and investigate the alleged recruitment fraud.
