Hyderabad Woman's Harrowing Ordeal in Oman
Shabnam Begum, a resident of Pahadi Shareef in Hyderabad, India, has reportedly endured a severe ordeal of exploitation after traveling to Muscat, Oman, for a housemaid job. Allegedly lured by a local recruitment agent with promises of a monthly salary of 200 Omani Riyals, Begum arrived in Muscat on March 26, 2026, only to face drastically different circumstances.
Upon her arrival, the situation allegedly deteriorated rapidly. Instead of the promised employment, Begum claims she was forced to work excessively, often for 12 to 15 hours a day, across multiple households. Furthermore, she was reportedly denied adequate food, proper accommodation, and, most critically, received no salary for a period of four months.
Seeking Refuge and Diplomatic Intervention
Unable to endure the alleged abuse, Shabnam Begum managed to escape her employer. She is currently seeking refuge and assistance at the Embassy of India in Muscat. Her family back in Hyderabad has made an urgent appeal to India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, requesting his intervention.
The family's primary plea is for the Indian Embassy in Muscat to ensure Begum's immediate safety and facilitate her swift return to Hyderabad. They are also demanding accountability for the circumstances that led to her exploitation abroad.
Calls for Action Against Recruiters
Beyond securing Shabnam Begum's safe return, her family has urged authorities to take stringent action against the recruitment agent who allegedly sent her to Oman under false pretenses. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding unethical recruitment practices that often lead to the exploitation of vulnerable individuals seeking employment overseas.