SL maid held in Saudi since 1999 brought back

25 April 2016 01:28 pm - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A Sri Lankan housemaid, who has been held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia since 1999, without being paid for more than fifteen years amidst physical harassment by her employer, has been given her salary in arrears and brought back to the country, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) officials said.

The woman, aged 44, a resident of Muvunuwatawana, Chilaw was brought back to the country two days ago by the SLBFE.

Murine Jasintha went to Riyadh when she was 29, on an SLBFE registered working agreement.

After the SLBFE officials intervened into the matter, the employer had agreed to pay her dues Rs. 2.7 million in arrears for fifteen years.

According to SLBFE sources, the woman was not allowed to get in touch with her family members after two months after she started working.

It is also reported that she had not been given meals properly and she had often faced physical harassment by her employer.

However, she had managed to escape from the employer’s place and sought refuge at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh.

“Our Mission in Riyadh summoned the employer and informed him about the possible legal action against him unless he paid the wages in arrears.

“He accepted his fault and agreed to pay the workers dues for fifteen years. She was given Saudi Riyal 68, 000. No legal action was taken against him therefore,” an SLBFE official said.

Ms. Jasintha is currently waiting at the SLBFE Sahana Piyasa welfare centre in Katunayake, until her family members arrive to take her home tomorrow. (Piyumi Fonseka)

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Comments - 16

ADF Monday, 25 April 2016 02:30 PM

the amount paid is well below KSA market rates approx 50% lower. This is just sad for a person who has virtually spent 1/3 of her life working as a slave. SLBFE should take legal action against the employer.. or is this just a settlement for convenience

t_logi Monday, 25 April 2016 02:40 PM

Still this man should be charged for abduction and harassment. Poor lady lost a good part of her life!

zuh Monday, 25 April 2016 02:42 PM

send more women so that we can hear more stories like this via DM iOS App

idroos2002 Monday, 25 April 2016 03:03 PM

i STRONGLY FEEL THE TIME HAS COME AND ENOUGH IS ENOUGH IN TERMS OF EARNINGS FROM HOUSEMAIDS LETS PUT A FULL STOP . LETS SET AN EXAMPLE OF GOOD MORALS IN THIS BEASTLY ORDER

Aquarius Monday, 25 April 2016 03:07 PM

The Rs. 2.7 million settlement works up to Rs.15,000 (US$100.00) a month! She would have worked less hours a day and earned a better salary in Sri Lanka. Was this the original contract amount? If so we are a sorry nation to send our women out to work as slaves or someone in SLFBE is working with these slave masters to provide these types contracts for the domestic workers they are exporting. This is simply unacceptable and disgusting! If the SLBFE offered this contract knowing very well that it was below the official rates in KSA, then the employer cannot be found guilty, except for holding back on monthly payments. It is the duty and responsibilty of SLFBE to make sure that all migrant workers are paid the official rates in the countries they work in.

Timothy Monday, 25 April 2016 03:14 PM

2700000, Represents 16,700 Euros for 17 Years of Slavery. The public should demand the Head of this Saudi, theft in Saudi Arabia is considered a crime, 17 years is more than a Criminal offense.

Ahmed hadi Monday, 25 April 2016 03:21 PM

15*12 = 180, 2,700,000/180 = 15000 rupees a month, what the hell, Interest for the areas?

Sug Monday, 25 April 2016 03:24 PM

SL should stop send maids to Saudi.

Diluk Monday, 25 April 2016 04:01 PM

It is disgraceful that we persist in sending our women to be raped and harassed. If we are really a developing country...we should stop relying on our women via DM Android App

Rasheed Monday, 25 April 2016 04:03 PM

Better we work on the amount of Riyal rather than in SRL. Riyals 68,000 comes to about Riyal 378/- per month.Only half salary paid for 15 years. The balance would have gone to the Embassy for settlement.

ANTON Monday, 25 April 2016 04:50 PM

THE ONLY WAY TO TAKE REVENGE FROM SAUDI IS TO DISCOVER CRUDE OIL IN SRILANKA. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

ANTON Monday, 25 April 2016 04:57 PM

CRUDE OIL IS RUNNING THROUGH THEIR VEINS, NOT BLOOD.

Sunil Monday, 25 April 2016 07:17 PM

Government must claim damages of 15million 1 million for each year she has been held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the traumatic experiences.

Sim Monday, 25 April 2016 07:27 PM

Stop sending our women to Middle East to work as house maids instead help them with self employment

Mohamed Tuesday, 26 April 2016 11:21 AM

No legal action? Are you kidding or serious? Do you think that only wrong they did was not paying the salary and if they pay that everything is settled? What about the physical harassment? Detaining someone against their will? Mental torture of not being in touch with family?... list goes on!! Come on folks in the Embassy should have better brains that this!

sinhabahu Tuesday, 26 April 2016 11:30 AM

Shariya Law? Best religion in the world Islam !

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SL maid held in Saudi since 1999 brought back

Comments - 16

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