Story of Mrs. Kamala: A Tale of Resilience and Struggle
- May 27, 2025
- 12:51 pm
Mrs. Kamala Kumar, a 50-year-old mother of two daughters, migrated to the UAE in 2015 due to her family’s financial crisis. Her husband, an electrician and plumber, was unable to work consistently after a 2014 accident. With ₹3.5 lakhs in debt for her daughters’ marriages, she sought overseas employment through an agent.
Initially sent on a tourist visa, she later received an employment visa. Though paid for the first 18 months, from November 2016 onwards, she faced brutal treatment including unpaid labor, physical assault, and mental abuse from her female employer.
Exploitation and Abuse
She was beaten, denied basic hygiene, and forced to work in two houses without rest. Her wedding chain was destroyed, and she was regularly threatened with false legal cases. Despite bleeding from head injuries, she received no medical attention. Communication with her family was restricted.
Family Efforts and Legal Intervention
Her husband registered a complaint on the MADAD portal and filed a writ petition (WP No: 39117/2016) in the Madras High Court. NDWM supported legal action and filed a police case. Continuous pressure from civil society and legal channels finally led to embassy action.
Rescue and Return
On July 18, 2017, she was abruptly dropped at the airport in her nightdress without instructions. After missing her flight and crying for help, a kind Tamil-speaking woman assisted her with a flight back to Chennai.
“No woman should ever face what I went through in the UAE.” – Mrs. Kamala
Her story is a painful reminder of the hardships migrant domestic workers endure and the urgent need for stronger protections and accountability.