The Indian Embassy in Oman has assured assistance to a 48-year-old woman from Jharkhand, Fareeda Begum, who was allegedly trafficked to Oman under the guise of employment. The embassy confirmed in a tweet that it has been in contact with Fareeda and will coordinate with local authorities for her early repatriation.
Fareeda, a resident of Golconda, Hyderabad, was promised a housemaid job in Dubai by a woman named Shenaz Begum. The job offer included a monthly salary of 1,400 Dirhams (approximately Rs 31,700), along with accommodation and meals. Shenaz had assured Fareeda that she could return home at any time if she found the job unsatisfactory.
On November 4, 2023, Fareeda traveled to the UAE on a 30-day visitor visa and began working as a housemaid for an Arab family. However, after a month, Fareeda fell seriously ill and expressed her desire to return home. Shenaz allegedly withheld Fareeda’s passport, preventing her return.
Fareeda’s health deteriorated further, leading to her hospitalisation. Shenaz then allegedly trafficked Fareeda to Muscat, the capital of Oman. In Muscat, Fareeda was diagnosed with a kidney infection.
Fahmeeda, Fareeda’s sister, reached out to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on December 28, 2023, pleading for the government’s intervention to rescue her sister and facilitate her return home.
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