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Premature baby puts SL maid in dilemma

8 April 2012 06:50 am - 8     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A Sri Lankan woman who gave birth prematurely at a government hospital in Riyadh while her husband is in jail has told an Indian social worker she has no idea how she will settle her hospital bills, the Arab News reported.

Eliyathamby Rajeswary had come to the Kingdom as a housemaid to work with her husband Ramachandran Raveendran, who is a house driver in the same Saudi household.

Raveendran was jailed for one month for assaulting one of his friends in a brawl at his sponsor's compound. Although the jail term is over, Raveendran's sponsor had refused to give the clearance for his release, demanding SR4,000 from the wife.

The mental worry caused by her husband's prolonged jail term triggered the premature delivery of her child after a six-month pregnancy. The mother is currently in the police ward of the hospital, while the baby is in an incubator in the same hospital.

Kottugad Shihab, an Indian social worker who had visited the mother in the hospital, told Arab News yesterday it was a sad story where the parents had become victims of circumstances beyond their control.

The social worker said he had collected SR2,000 from philanthropists to pay the sponsor to secure the release of the husband.

“The couple has another 11-month-old daughter, Rasanika, who lives with their friends until the parents come home,” he said. Shihab said he has plans to meet the welfare officer of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh to help the couple sort out this matter.

The social worker pays regular visits to jails to look after the interests of Indians languishing there. “I came across this case during one of my routine visits,” Shihab said.

According to Shihab, government hospitals in the Kingdom offer health services free of charge to domestic servants who work in Saudi homes. However, in the case of Raveendran's wife, the sponsor has reported the family as absconded (huroob), which disqualifies the couple for free medical services.

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  Comments - 8

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  • Noor Sunday, 08 April 2012 08:47 AM

    What SL Embassy doing, an Indian does all the needful for deserted Srilankan people like this. The KSA rules are still disappointing, a modern slavery.

    wicks Sunday, 08 April 2012 09:55 AM

    SL embassy is sleeping. In Qatar also same like....Why GL. can not look at this issues

    subbiah Sunday, 08 April 2012 09:39 AM

    Something wrong. Why did the sponsor report to police that the family has absconded? SL embassy should look into this matter.

    saman Sunday, 08 April 2012 11:43 AM

    what abt the insurance money they collect by force at the airport ! we do not know what happens to that money and who is benefited !

    Chat Sunday, 08 April 2012 12:09 PM

    I thought during their contract the employer must provide her with Hospital / Health Insurance.
    That is a clause in Work Agreement.

    ravi Sunday, 08 April 2012 12:37 PM

    Because SL embassy is thinking that Sri Lanka is part of India so India duty to look after them..

    Rajan Mohanani Sunday, 08 April 2012 04:24 PM

    Every one only looks into their pockets and sleep thats it

    Tharuka Monday, 09 April 2012 05:52 AM

    Sri Lankan should be shy sending women for husmaid in Arab. Sri Lanka goverment should train them as skill workers such as health sector (nurses, MLT). Should invest money in education and stop sending workers as housemad. This government eats public money and make huge wastage of resources. This is Wonder of Asia.


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