Hyderabad: A Kamareddy-based man is reportedly being forced to work as a manual labourer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, though his agreement with the company ended six months ago.
Sakali Narsimlu, 38, went to Riyadh in August 2022 on a two-year contract to work as a school bus driver. Upon his arrival, his kafeel (employer) forced him to dig pits, carry construction material up to the tenth floor and work as a house driver.
In a video that he sent home, Narsimlu said he was forced to feed and maintain goats and camels. “When I refused, they beat me up. After working for one year, I escaped and went to the police station, but they got me back to the place and beat me up again,” Narsimlu said.
“Last month when my father passed away, I told them I had to go back to India. They locked me up in a room and left. They are verbally and physically attacking me, and I can’t deal with this anymore,” he added.
His wife Roja said Narsimlu was being made to work for over 17 hours daily without being provided proper food or living conditions. “My daughter, my mother-in-law and I are extremely worried about him,” Roja said.
She appealed to external affairs minister Dr S. Jaishankar to intervene and rescue her husband. She has also requested urgent action from the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.
The Indian Embassy has assured support and stated they will extend all possible assistance to bring Narsimlu back to India.
