Karnataka Woman Returns Safely from Riyadh After Facing Issues

 

Riyadh / Chikkamagaluru: Mrs. Maryam, a resident of Uppalli town in Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka, has safely returned to her hometown after enduring hardships while employed as a housemaid for over nine months in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Mrs. Maryam faced multiple challenges, including overwork, restlessness and mistreatment at the hands of her female employer. Unable to continue under such circumstances, she decided to return to India on a final exit visa.

The matter was resolved through the intervention of Dr. & Adv. P.A. Hameed Padubidri, a Riyadh-based pro-bono lawyer and social worker. Dr. Hameed successfully mediated with the family member. They initially insisted that Mrs. Maryam bear the costs of her travel, including the flight ticket. 

However, after persistent efforts, the sponsor agreed to issue her final exit visa and arrange her travel expenses.

Irshad Chakmakki & Malenad Gulf Association (MGT) Riyadh Zone, who first brought the case to Dr. Hameed’s attention, also offered to support Maryam including cover the cost of her travel ticket if the sponsor failed to do so. 

While this offer was highly appreciated, it became uncalled as the sponsor ultimately fulfilled the obligation.

Mrs. Maryam has now safely reunited with her family, including her ailing mother, and expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Dr. & Adv. P.A. Hameed Padubidri and MGT for their timely support and assistance.

In a statement, Dr. & Adv. P.A. Hameed Padubidri, who has been actively involved in social services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for several years, emphasized that “Many travel and visa agents in India are misleading women who seek employment abroad, especially in Gulf countries, as housemaids. These agents, driven by greed, deceive both the women and their sponsors, causing significant hardships for those who travel under such arrangements”. 

Continuing his statement, Hameed said that this exploitation must be stopped and stricter measures should be taken to curb such practices.