AI Generated Summary
- The woman, who had travelled to Oman in hopes of earning money to support her family, said her journey quickly turned into a nightmare.
- A woman from Punjab’s Jalandhar district has returned home after surviving a horrific episode of alleged human trafficking, abuse, and forced labour in Oman.
- According to her account, she was sold into forced labour for Rs 4 lakh, allegedly by her own sister-in-law, who had conspired with a recruitment agent.
A woman from Punjab’s Jalandhar district has returned home after surviving a horrific episode of alleged human trafficking, abuse, and forced labour in Oman. Her rescue, made possible through the efforts of Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, has brought to light the grim realities of job scams and trafficking rings that prey on vulnerable women seeking work abroad.
The woman, who had travelled to Oman in hopes of earning money to support her family, said her journey quickly turned into a nightmare. What was promised as a job opportunity ended in betrayal, physical abuse, and exploitation.
According to her account, she was sold into forced labour for Rs 4 lakh, allegedly by her own sister-in-law, who had conspired with a recruitment agent. Once in Oman, she was subjected to appalling working conditions, denied food and wages, and physically assaulted. She lived under constant threat and was stripped of her dignity and freedom.
Her plight worsened when she attempted to escape her captors. For nearly two months, she lived homeless on the streets of Oman, surviving without support or shelter. During this time, she met several other Indian women — many from Punjab, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh — who were similarly stranded and trapped in exploitative conditions.
She also recalled a harrowing incident that deeply scarred her: a young woman being dragged by her hair and forced into a vehicle. “I had lost all hope of returning alive,” she told reporters.
With no legal options and no one to turn to, she managed to contact her family back in India. Her husband then approached MP Seechewal with details of her situation. Taking immediate action, Seechewal coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Muscat. Within 10 days, she was safely brought back home.
“This is a deeply disturbing case of betrayal and exploitation,” Seechewal said. “It is tragic that an orphaned girl, already facing hardship, was trafficked by someone she trusted. This incident is a stark reminder of the growing menace of human trafficking disguised as overseas job offers.”
He urged the government to implement stricter regulations and enforcement against illegal recruitment agents and trafficking networks. “We need a robust mechanism to protect our citizens from falling into such traps,” he added.
The woman is now back with her family, recovering from the trauma. Her story, while distressing, is also a powerful call for awareness, vigilance, and stronger safeguards to protect those most vulnerable from exploitation abroad.
