A woman from Telangana’s Kamareddy town has appealed to the Union government to help bring back her husband, who is reportedly not allowed by his employer in Saudi Arabia to return home even six months after his work contract expired. Sakali Narsimlu, 48, had gone to Riyadh in 2022 to work as a school bus driver on a two-year contract, according to his wife Sangula Roja.
“He is being made to work in a farmhouse as a construction labourer. He is not being given proper food or resting space. Even when his father Chennaiah passed away two weeks ago, he was not allowed to return home for final rites,” Roja told the Indian Express. “We don’t have anyone. We request the Government to help us bring him back.”
In a video shared with his family, Narsimlu said he is deeply disturbed by the harsh treatment he is subjected to by his kafeel (sponsor). “Apart from school bus driving, I am being forced to do all kinds of work from taking care of cattle and related farm jobs. I did the job for one year. They scold me, they beat me a lot. They make me work for 20 hours straight from 3 am. I left the place and went to the police station for help. They sent me back to the kafeel and I was badly beaten up,” he said.
Roja’s letter to the Central Government. (File image)
“I was not allowed to go home even after my father’s death. That entire day, I was locked up in my room with no food. I don’t want to stay here. I am wondering why I even came here. I have no means to return now. I request you to take me home,” Narsimlu said in the video message to his wife.
Sakali Narsimlu from Kamareddy in Telangana went to work as a school bus driver in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during Aug 2022 on a two years agreement, Since he joined duty he is being asked to work in farm house digging pits for trees, carry construction material upto tenth floor,… pic.twitter.com/ao2vrocBTL
— Amjed Ullah Khan MBT (@amjedmbt) December 21, 2024
“His mental health is not so good, especially after his father passed away. Recently, he was complaining of chest pain. His health is not so good. We need help,” his wife added.
Social activist Amjedullah Khan, who helped the family write to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, said the Indian embassy in Riyadh replied positively on Sunday afternoon, assuring to extend all support to Narsimhlu.
According to Khan, he comes across at least five such cases of Indians stranded in the Gulf countries and each case is distinct. “In most cases, unless a replacement for your job is finalised, you won’t be allowed to leave. One should ensure that he or she travels abroad for work only through legitimate agents authorised by the Government of India. In such cases, the Government and the embassy will be the guarantor for your job. The problem happens when you travel abroad on a visiting visa or through fraudulent agents,” Khan said.
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