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Indian workers sent to iraq on forged papers
DUBAI — Despite the ban imposed by the Indian government on its citizens to travel to war-ravaged Iraq, many unscrupulous agents are involved in trafficking Indian workers to Iraq using Dubai as a transit point.
Most of these workers, it is learnt, were brought to Dubai on a visit visa by such agents and sent to Iraq on forged travel documents.
Kailesh Ram and Zakir Hussien, both Indian nationals from the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, are reportedly the latest victims who were forced by their agents to work in Iraq. However, both of them absconded in Ajman and sought help from the Indian consulate in Dubai yesterday.
According to Kailesh, he had arrived in Dubai on a visit visa three months ago. "I paid Dh 7,000 to an agent in Delhi who promised me a job in Dubai as a truck driver. When I came here, the agent sent me to Ajman and put me up in a room. When I asked about my job they started to beat me and threaten me."
"They took away my passport and removed the relevant page where Indian emigration officials had stamped the travel ban for Iraq. They replaced this with another blank page. They said, I will get good money if Iam ready to go Iraq. When I refused they beat me up again," he disclosed.
"I ran away from the agent in Ajman and was sleeping on the beach front for the past one week. I didn't have any money and I had no food. I just want to get back to India," he said in anguish.
Zakir Hussien, another victim said "I paid Dh 10,000 to an agent who promised me a job as a carpenter. He told he that I will get a salary of Dh1,500 a month. He procured a visit visa for me and assured me that he will arrange an employment visa once I reach the UAE. Two months ago, I came to Dubai airport but was stuck in the arrivals lounge because the agent had not deposited my original visit visa at the airport - as is required."
"I returned to India - where the agent told me there was a communication gap which is why this fiasco took place. The agent again made arrangements for me to come to Dubai. This time the agent's representative did come to the airport and took me to Ajman. For a few days they provided boarding and lodging facilities, but no job. When I asked about the job he said, I will secure it soon. They took away my passport and gave it to a rent-a-car company for hiring a car," he revealed.
"Now I don't know what to do. I am also sleeping on the beach. The agent has told me he will send me to Iraq but I too just want to go back home," he lamented.
When contacted an official of the Indian consulate said, "We are sending the details of these agents to the local authorities here. We will also send these case details to India for further action at that end. Meanwhile, we will help to repatriate these workers."
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