Hyderabad woman alleges abuse, seeks rescue from Oman
- The woman says she was forced to work 15 hours a day for four months without salary.
- She alleges physical torture and abuse at the hands of her employer in Oman.
- The woman has made a video appeal from Oman seeking rescue and help from Indian authorities.
A woman from Hyderabad has made a desperate video appeal from Oman, alleging she was forced to work 15-hour days, physically tortured, and not paid for four months. The video, which surfaced online, has drawn attention to the plight of Indian domestic workers in the Gulf region.
Allegations of forced labour and torture
The woman, whose identity has not been officially confirmed, claims she was employed in a private household in Oman. She says her employer confiscated her passport and forced her to work from early morning until late at night without breaks.
In the video, she shows visible signs of distress and alleges she was beaten and abused when she asked for her salary. She claims she has not received any payment for the last four months of work.
Video appeal and call for rescue
The video was recorded on a mobile phone and appears to be shot inside a room. In it, the woman pleads with the Indian government and authorities to help her return home safely.
She says she is unable to leave the house without permission and fears for her safety. The video has been widely shared on social media, prompting calls for the Ministry of External Affairs to intervene.
Previous cases and pattern of abuse
This is not an isolated incident. Several Indian women, particularly from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, have reported similar abuse in Gulf countries. Many are lured with promises of good salaries and safe working conditions, only to face exploitation.
In many cases, employers confiscate passports, making it impossible for workers to leave or seek help. The lack of proper labour protections for domestic workers in some Gulf nations often leaves them vulnerable.
Government response and next steps
Officials have not yet confirmed the woman's identity or the exact location in Oman. The Indian embassy in Muscat is likely to be in touch with local authorities to verify the claims.
In similar past cases, the embassy has facilitated the repatriation of distressed workers. However, the process can be slow, often taking weeks or months, especially if the employer refuses to release the passport.
Activists have called for faster response mechanisms and stricter regulation of recruitment agencies that send workers to the Gulf. The Ministry of External Affairs has helplines for Indians in distress abroad, but reaching them can be difficult for workers without access to phones or the internet.
The woman's video has added urgency to the matter. It remains to be seen how quickly the authorities can act to secure her release and bring her back to India.