Relief for stranded expatriate woman: Bahrain

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

A 48-year-old expatriate woman, who has been stranded in the Kingdom for the past 16 years, is all set to fly home – thanks to the efforts of three ex-pat social workers.

Indian national Uma Marimuthu came to the Kingdom in 2006 with great hopes of working as a housemaid and supporting her children and relatives back home.

But, those hopes did not take off as she failed to find consistent income.

According to social workers, the manpower agency, which brought Uma to the Kingdom, did not obtain her residency permit.

“They would make her work for different employers and most often, without payment.”

Eventually, Uma broke off ties with the manpower agency and began working as a housemaid.

Her stay in the Kingdom was not legalised as the manpower agency did not release her passport and other legal documents.

Two years ago, after suffering from diabetic retinopathy, she started losing her eyesight.

Sudheer Thirunilath, World NRI Council Humanitarian Director for the Middle East, told The Daily Tribune that Uma was partially blind when he met her a few months ago.

 “We took her to an eye hospital, where she is receiving treatment.

Her expenses are now being taken care of by some good-minded people,” Sudheer said.

A group of social workers led by Sudheer, Mr Senthil of Annai Thamiz Mantram and Azhkar Poozhithala of Hope Bahrain came to her rescue.

They took up their case with the Indian Embassy, which issued her an outpass.

Uma hails from Thanjavoor district in the South Indian State of Tamil Nadu.

She has three children and six sisters, all dependent on her