Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Abuse maid gets back her passport

Bahrain

By S.H.Moulana - Riyadh , Saudi Arabia

Manama, 18 August, (Asiantribune.com):

An Indian housemaid who fled her employer's home covered in bruises had her passport and thyroid medication returned to her yesterday - along with 45 days of unpaid salary.

Salma Begum had been without her passport and other personal belongings since fleeing the home of her Bahraini boss on August 3, claiming she was routinely beaten and forced to sleep outside.

The 32-year-old widow from Hyderabad has been living at the Migrant Workers Protection Society (MWPS) shelter for abused foreign workers ever since.

Her outstanding salary and belongings were returned to her as she met an arbitrator at the Labour Ministry yesterday, alongside MWPS volunteer Mehru Vesuvala.

The MWPS had made a special application to have her personal items returned, along with the salary she said she had not received since she started working for the family back in June.

Her employer's Bahraini wife had her trial adjourned until September 2 when she appeared in court on Sunday, but was released on bail.

"I am very happy to have my passport and my belongings back, and also to get the salary that was due to me," Ms Begum told the GDN through a translator yesterday.

"I wasn't expecting a decision in court. I know that could take a long time, but I'm willing to fight this case."

Ms Begum underwent hospital treatment for her injuries, but volunteers said she was now in good health.

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