Indian Women Are Sold For 4 Lakh Rupees In Saudi Arabia - MEA Needs To Intervene

The Gulf region, a source of wealth and opportunity for many in Southeast Asia is also a source of despair and horror for many. It is usually men who face the wrath, now women are also lured into Gulf region and reports are out that they are being sold for 4,000 pounds in Saudi Arabia and 2000 pounds in Bahrain.

Prisoners and women captives are languishing in horrific conditions in Gulf state jails. The middle men who act as recruitment agents lure female migrants in the promise of high pay. They are then tricked into overstaying beyond the validity of their visas and hence get arrested and jailed. They also get arrested for petty offenses. There have been complaints of physical abuse, delayed salary payment and denial of fundamental human rights.

Andhra Pradesh’s minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy for NRI welfare has sought Union government’s interference in bringing women domestic workers from the state languishing in jails in gulf countries.

In a letter to Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, the minister said that the women were being sold like products in a retail shop.

“Women are being sold to the tune of Rs. 4 lakh ($6,000) in Saudi Arabia and between Rs. 1 lakh ($1,500) to Rs. 2 lakh ($3,000) in Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait,” Reuters quoted the minister from the letter.

Officials have confirmed that more than 25 women currently in Gulf jails have sought help from the Andhra Pradesh state government. The Indian embassy has been requested to interfere in the matter and rescue the many immigrants who are languishing in prisons. The state government has also made arrangement to appoint lawyers so that they would help in providing legal aid to the prisoners.

The Logical Indian appeals to the central government to intervene and take up the issue with the Saudi Arabian government and ensure a speedy release of the prisoners.