Rescued Indian maid in Abu Dhabi to be moved to shelter home

The Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi

An Indian housemaid in distress, who was rescued on Tuesday by local authorities in Abu Dhabi, will be shifted to a government-run woman's shelter, the Indian embassy said.

The woman, identified as S.N., was reportedly held in captive in an apartment in Abu Dhabi by her recruiting agents.

"She was produced in front of the public prosecution today (Thursday). She may have to stay in the country for a few more days till the investigation is over," said Dinesh Kumar, first secretary, community affairs, at the embassy.

"She was rescued by local authorities following complaints. We are in touch with the local officials, and we understand that she will be, in a day or two, moved to EWA'A women's shelter in Abu Dhabi," said Kumar.

EWA'A is a govt-run shelter home for women and children who are victims of human trafficking and abuse.

Kumar said embassy officials met her on Tuesday at a local authority's office. "She is now at the CID office. Our welfare officers are working on the case and is liaising with the concerned authorities," said Kumar.

A Facebook post by a friend of the victim on August 3 had brought her situation to light.

"She is being harassed by her employer. She was recently fired from her employment, but her agent is not allowing her to come back to India, and is forcing her to take up employment elsewhere," Darshana posted on the Facebook page of IWRC (Indian Workers Resource Centre), the welfare arm of Indian embassy, UAE.

S.N. had arrived in Abu Dhabi two months ago, but has been unhappy with her job as she was overworked and harassed, alleged her friend in Bangalore.

Darshana also alleged that the embassy turned her friend away when she approached them for help.

"She managed to escape and get to the Indian embassy, but they did not help and told her to come after two days," alleged Darshana in her post.

"She is under constant CCTV surveillance and while she is being given food, she cannot go out at all," Darshan explained her friend's ordeal to some section of the Indian media.

Responding to the allegations, Kumar said there was some miscommunication between the victim and the official who handled the matter.

"We are doing everything possible to repatriate the victim at the earliest."

• Abu Dhabi