After jumping to escape abuse in Kuwait, injured maid returns home

A divorcee and single mother of two children, Sumathi had jumped off the third floor of a house in Kuwait where she was employed as a househelp but was tortured and made to for work for 20 hours a day.

Sumathi used to live with her mother in Coimbatore and was on the lookout for a job to support her children’s education. “While I was looking for jobs, I came across an agency in Tiruchy. They promised me a salary of Rs 20,000 along with food and accommodation. They arranged for a passport and visa and took me to Kuwait in May. I stayed in the agency’s accommodation for four days and was then sent to a house as a housekeeper. The employers there made me work for more than 20 hours every day and gave me very little to eat,” says Sumathi.

Not only was she made to work beyond the agreed working hours, but was also physically tortured and beaten up. “I begged them to let me quit and return to my country, but they blackmailed me by saying that they paid for my travel to Kuwait and so, I can return only after I work for the period agreed upon earlier,” said Sumathi.

She added, “They used to lock me in a dark room without giving me food for a day. Failing to find any other solution, I decided to escape. I jumped from the third floor of the house and crashed on the ground.”

Sumathi was taken to Mubarak-Al Kabeer Hospital where she was treated for one month as she had fractured her leg and hip. After she narrated her story to the hospital authorities, a few hospital staff shared Sumathi’s story on social media. Her parents informed the National Domestic Workers Movement about the incident and the association state co-ordinator Valarmathi arranged for medical rehabilitation and support for Sumathi.

“A social activist in Keerani Venkatamathi, secretary, Indian Frontliners informed the Indian Embassy about my problem. After that, officials from the embassy came to meet me. They helped me to return to Chennai. The Tamil association in Kuwait also helped me to bear the medical expenses,” said Sumathi.

The officials from the Ministry of Rehabilitation arranged for ambulance service from Chennai to Coimbatore and are offering further medical assistance. Thanking everyone who helped her return to India, Sumathi said, “The authorities should take legal action against such fraudulent agencies and help me run my family and the rehabilitation process.”