'They sold me,' Rehana pleads from Saudi Arabia

Rehana Khatun, a housewife hailing from Madhabpur in Habiganj who fell into distress after flying to Saudi Arabia as a domestic worker, has appealed for the government's assistance to return home.

A video message appealing to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to rescue and bring her back was sent to 'Agamir Somoy'. The video message was provided by Rehana's sister, Hena Begum, who is also currently staying in Saudi Arabia.

Rehana Khatun is a resident of the Konabari neighborhood in Kamalpur village under No. 2 Chaumuhani Union of Madhabpur Upazila. According to the family, due to financial hardship, Rehana flew to Saudi Arabia obtaining a domestic worker visa about two months ago through a broker named Gias Uddin. The man is hailed from Lalpur village in Bijoynagar Upazila of Brahmanbaria.

Rehana is currently working as a maid in a house in the Alhada area of Jeddah.

Hena Begum claims that Rehana was put in that house through a Saudi-based agency in exchange for 16,000 riyals. She is loaded with overwork there and is not provided with proper food on time. To prevent her from communicating with her family, she was not given internet access either. Later, Hena Begum managed to obtain the video message from Rehana and sent it to 'Agamir Somoy'.

In the video message, Rehana said she had contacted the agency office in Saudi Arabia. They demanded 350,000 taka from her before sending her back to Bangladesh. The amount is large enough which she cannot afford. According to Rehana, the agency told her, "I sold you. I can no longer take responsibility of you."

Rehana appealed in the video, "I am at a juncture between life and death. I am being subjected to various pressures and hardships. I am very sick and feel like I won't survive. I am not being paid my wages. I appeal to the government to rescue me and arrange for my return home."

Rehana's husband, Ali Ahmad, said, "I earnestly appeal to the Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia to arrange for my wife's safe return home." The family named Gias Uddin as the broker involved in sending Rehana to Saudi Arabia. His home is in Bamutia village of Mokandapur in Bijoynagar Upazila, Brahmanbaria. Regarding the allegations, Gias Uddin said, "If they cover some expenses, I will get her back. You can't just leave as soon as you go to Saudi Arabia."

Hasan Mia, an official at Xenia Overseas—the recruiting agency involved located in Fakirapool, Dhaka—denied the allegations of abuse, saying, "The woman is not suffering any abuse. If she wants to return home, our costs must be paid. If her physical health is poor, there is nothing we can do."

Her husband has submitted applications to the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to bring Rehana back and take action against those involved.

Maleka Begum, Deputy Assistant Director of the Wage Earners' Welfare Board under the Expatriates' Welfare Ministry, said "Since we have received the application, we will forward it to the Bangladesh Embassy to investigate the matter. We will make every effort necessary for her rescue."