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Saudi HC orders sponsor to pay SL maid’s wages of 13 years

20 March 2015 06:43 am - 14     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A high court in Saudi Arabia has ordered a Saudi sponsor to pay his Sri Lankan housemaid 68, 000 Saudi Riyals in back wages owed for the past 13 years.

The high court in Hail, about 400 km from Riyadh, ruled that the sponsor must pay Seda Cader Ismail Asia Umma, 59, the money and her airfare home to Colombo.

She is currently staying at the Women’s Welfare Camp in Hail, under police protection. The Saudi sponsor, Mubarak Al-Qahtani, has launched an appeal against the judgment at the final court of appeal in Riyadh.

Umma, from Beruwela in Sri Lanka, had come to the Kingdom for an agreed wage of SR400 a month.

An official from the Sri Lankan Embassy told Arab News that she had sought work in the Kingdom to help her three school-going daughters.

The mission, he said, spotted the case when the sponsor came to the embassy to renew her passport in 2014. Following formal inquiries, the mission’s officials found that the maid had been kept as a slave and not paid her salary from the time she arrived. The embassy registered a complaint with the police.

The official said he hoped the appeals court would reject the sponsor’s attempt to overturn the verdict. He said the embassy would transport Umma to Riyadh where the appeal would be heard.
The official said Umma had been in the Saudi household for such a long time that she has forgotten Tamil, her mother tongue. Now she only speaks Arabic. She is determined to go home and has thanked the embassy officials for helping to free her, he said.

The Sri Lankan Embassy is open round-the-clock for distressed housemaids seeking emergency assistance. It deals largely with cases of non-payment of salaries and breach of contract.
Sri Lankan Ambassador Mohammed Hussein Mohamed told Arab News that the embassy makes sure it only handles genuine cases. It does not accept illegal Sri Lankan workers under its welfare program, he said.(Arab Times)

 

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  Comments - 14

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  • brainmaster Friday, 20 March 2015 01:25 PM

    Where is here the punishment ?? Only paying salary is not enough, she worked for it. The sponsor has to pay a high fine and compensation for slavery.

    asfar Friday, 20 March 2015 02:07 PM

    68000 riyals is very unfair for a woman who lost her entire13 years without her family. also 400 riyal salary scale is not valid now and should be calculated 1000 riyals per month.

    unity Friday, 20 March 2015 02:51 PM

    400 s riyals in p nuts for a Arab .These guys muslims prophet muhammad preached nice atitude. guys forgot after they have petroleum via DM Android App

    Sri Lankan Friday, 20 March 2015 03:42 PM

    I think the Sri Lankan embassy should have records of all Sri Lankans living in those countries. If anyone stays for more than 2 year without returning to Sri Lanka then they should investigate in order to avoid similar situations taking place in the future

    The God Father Friday, 20 March 2015 03:50 PM

    Where are the so called muslim hardcores who go around and preach islam? take care of the community first before you preach,

    Mad Mohommad Friday, 20 March 2015 05:19 PM

    Ashamed about it!!

    town boy Friday, 20 March 2015 07:29 PM

    who was the lawyer from her side this is totally injustice. she was literally punished for 13 years only to get paid this paltry amount via DM Android App

    Sylvia Haik Friday, 20 March 2015 07:45 PM

    At long last a just decision from Saudi Arabia. I agree the sponsors who treated her most abominably should pay a penalty, not merely her wages.

    Faiz Friday, 20 March 2015 10:11 PM

    Prophet Muhammad (sal) said Give the worker his wages before his sweat dries.” حَدَّثَنَا الْعَبَّاسُ بْنُ الْوَلِيدِ الدِّمَشْقِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا وَهْبُ بْنُ سَعِيدِ بْنِ عَطِيَّةَ السُّلَمِيُّ، ...Some arrogant Saudis are humiliating Islam ....

    kondaya77 Friday, 20 March 2015 11:57 PM

    Uncivilized Muslim nations act like they own whom ever works for them. Slavery was their business long time ago.How many more women are enslaved by these barbarians?

    dilip Saturday, 21 March 2015 12:12 AM

    Most of you people are talking about justice. FORGET IT? Those countries will protect their people weather it is good or bad. Sri lanka is the only place, that screw their own people in front of foreign countries.

    Fair N Square Saturday, 21 March 2015 12:54 AM

    Her lawyers should file charges for pain and suffering, depriving family re-union, holding against the will ( kidnapping) mental torture for which NO AMOUNT can compensate. The Embassy would know the salary scale for the 13 year period as she initially started 400 Riyals 13 years ago. The sponsor SHOULD AND MUST pay 68000 X 2 and then on top a compensation a minimum of SR 250,000 should be the settlement NOT just her wages.IF the sponsor cant pay her, make him come to SL and work for her as a male maid..until the amounts can be deducted..

    burt Saturday, 21 March 2015 01:22 AM

    This sucks, it amounts to only about SR436 per month. What was the salary she was promised, and interest for 13 years.

    thasleem Saturday, 21 March 2015 08:10 AM

    sri lankan embassy in middle east must start seperate department to follow up with maids who worked more than two years should have their regular vacation with their permissions.otherwise let them to extend their work agreement with embassy strickt permissions. in order to analize maids true situation to avoid such cases. via DM Android App


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