Domestic workers narrate ordeal suffered in Kuwait

Vasanthamani, who hailed from Uthakuzhi in Tirupur district, was sent to Kuwait for domestic work through a job consultancy firm on the promise of an attractive salary. However, after she reached there, Vasanthamani was forced to work for 20 hours in two different houses, but was not given proper food or salary.

“When I protested, they sent me to an isolated place, and took away my phone and belongings. They asked me to pay Rs 2 lakh to get out of the country. Before I left, I was forced to sign four blank papers,” Vasanthamani alleged.

Another domestic worker, Muthulakshmi from Kallakurichi, was also sent to Kuwait after paying a consultancy firm. She alleged being tortured by the owner and even beaten there.

“They would not give me food and beat me up. They later kept me in an isolated place and asked me to pay Rs 1.1 lakh to return to India. I sold my necklace to pay them. There are many other women from Tamil Nadu and other parts of country who are kept in the Kuwait agent’s office,” said Muthulakshmi.

Josephine Valarmathi, the State coordinator of the National Domestic Workers Movement said that there are more number of people who are offered good pay in gulf countries by fraudulent firms. But after reaching there, they are treated as slaves and often tortured. “We request the government authorities to train these domestic workers before they go for work in other countries,” she said.