From Dreams to Despair: Nampally man’s survival tale in Jeddah
Nampally: A young man’s aspiration for a better life abroad turned into a harrowing tale of exploitation and survival in Saudi Arabia. Mohammed Sameer from Hyderabad’s Nampally area returned home after enduring months of exploitation and imprisonment in Saudi Arabia. His ordeal, which began with dreams of overseas employment, transformed into a cautionary tale of labor trafficking.
According to Amjed Ullah Khan, spokesperson of MBT, “Sameer, a resident of Dargah Yousufain, was lured by a travel agent promising a job in food delivery company. He went to Jeddah in August 2024 after paying Rs. 1.50 lakhs to travel agent Mohammed Akber from Mehdipatnam. The promise of a delivery boy position with a 1,500 Saudi Riyal salary quickly unraveled as his employer, Kafeel, withheld his wages for five months.” Reportedly, Mohammed Akber sent around 30 Hyderabad youngsters to Saudi Arabia, who were still stranded abroad, added Khan.
Narrating his ordeal, Sameer said, “I went to Saudi Arabia on 2 August. I was promised in agreement that I would be paid 1,500 Saudi Riyal as salary, but after reaching Jeddah it changed to 400 Saudi Riyal as salary. And the working hours increased from 8 to 12 hours. When I wanted to return to India, I was told to pay 10,000 Saudi Riyal to leave the place.”
Sameer returns after months in Saudi jail
When Sameer tried to return to India, his situation worsened as Kafeel demanded Rs. 2 lakhs to release his passport. Stranded without accommodation and income, Sameer resorted to selling prayer mats and caps near Makkah for survival. This led to his arrest by Saudi authorities on November 23, 2024, landing him in Safar Jail, Jeddah.
The turning point came when his distressed family approached Amjed Ullah Khan, spokesman of MBT, for assistance. Khan escalated the matter to Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister for External Affairs, prompting swift action from the Indian Consulate in Jeddah. The consulate officials secured Sameer’s release and arranged his return flight to India.
After reaching Hyderabad, Sameer met Amjed Ullah Khan to express gratitude for facilitating his return. Amjed Ullah Khan suggested hopeful youngsters verify employment agencies and understand labor rights before pursuing overseas opportunities.
