Mangalore, Oct 29: A woman was allegedly duped by a visa agent in Mangalore few months ago and was subsequently enslaved by an employer in Saudi Arabia for a period of eight months without receiving any remuneration.
Speaking at a press conference called by Tulunadu Rakshana Vedike (TRV), Ayesha, wife of Rafeeq, resident of Miyapadavu in Kasargod district, alleged that a Visa agent Khader had duped her by offering to send her abroad with a free Visa along with a promise of ensuring her suitable employment.
Recounting her tale of misery in Saudi Arabia, Ayesha said that the Visa agent Khader of Iqlas Travels, Bunder (Mangalore) gave her false assurance of providing her employment in the house of his sister-in-law in Saudi Arabia, but was instead made to work as a slave for eight months without pay.
“I was made to work as a house-maid in the house of Abdullah Abdulaziz Abdullah Altuwazri. Even when I had to return home for necessary work, my employer did not permit and instead demanded a sum of Rs 2 lakhs. I was lucky enough to get in touch with my daughter's fiancé Mohammed Aslam who was settled in Dubai, who transferred a sum of 8,095 Riyals (approx. Rs 1.25 lakh) to his account. Only then was I allowed to return. I even had to purchase the return flight ticket myself with Aslam's help,” she grieved.
Ayesha returned home from Saudi Arabia five months ago. When she tried to contact Visa agent Khader with the help of her relatives, Ayesha said that he refused to return any amount she had paid him.
A complaint has been registered in this regard, in Mangalore South police station, said TRV spokesperson M G Hegde.
Speaking on the occasion, he demanded probe into the background of duping Visa agents. He said that those without valid licenses should not be allowed to operate their agencies. The government should implement a co-ordinated policy for a proper system of provision of Visas to people, in order to avoid exploitation of the innocent, he urged.
TRV women's activist Jyothika Jain, Rasheed Kunjathoor and Ibrahim Kunjathoor were present.
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