10-month Saudi ordeal ends

Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 22

After illegal confinement for over 10 months as a “bonded” housemaid in Saudi Arabia, Paramjit Kaur (39) finally returned to India on Friday.

Paramjit was allegedly sold by a Jalandhar-based travel agent for Rs 3 lakh to a Saudi family in Hail province for a period of two years. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh had initially refused to intervene as she arrived in Saudi Arabia on a valid work permit and hence was bounded under the Kafala system.

It was only after The Tribune took up the matter with Dr Ahmed Javed, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in March that he personally intervened.

The diplomat not only convinced Kaur’s employers to release her a year before the completion of her job contract, but also brought down the bond money from Rs 5.5 lakh to Rs 3.5 lakh.

The embassy also sought the intervention of some Indian-origin social workers to ensure the timely release of Kaur from her employers’ house.

A part of the bond money was arranged from Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust run by Dubai-based NRI SP Singh Oberoi.

According to Naresh, a close relative who had played a crucial role in getting Kaur back , the family had knocked at the door of every political leader in the area, but they all claimed helplessness.

After landing at the airport, Paramjit Kaur said she has got a fresh lease of life and would never even dream of leaving her country for better prospects.

Remembering her mother-in-law Dilip Kaur, who died two months ago, an emotional Kaur broke down after hearing the news.