Oman: India-Origin Woman Shabnam Begum Alleges Abuse, Unpaid Wages After Housemaid Job in Muscat (Video)
A woman from Hyderabad is currently stranded in Oman after allegedly being subjected to forced labor, prolonged wage withholding, and poor living conditions. The victim, identified as Shabnam Begum from the Pahadi Shareef area of Telangana, claimed she was forced to work up to 15 hours a day across different households without receiving any salary for the past four months.
A 26-year-old woman from Hyderabad has appealed for help after alleging that she was subjected to abuse, forced to work up to 15 hours a day and denied wages for four months while employed as a housemaid in Oman. Following her plea, the Indian Embassy in Muscat said it has taken cognisance of the matter and is coordinating with the relevant authorities.
Shabnam Begum Alleges Exploitation After Reaching Oman
The woman, identified as Shabnam Begum from Hyderabad's Pahadi Shareef area, said she travelled to Muscat on March 26 after a local recruitment agent allegedly promised her a housemaid's job with a monthly salary of 200 Omani riyals (around INR 50,000). Syed Sohail Uddin Stabbing Case: Indian-Origin Man Stabbed in Utah for Being Muslim Survives 15 Stab Wounds.
Hyderabad Woman Alleges Abuse, Unpaid Wages in Oman
Urgent Appeal to Hon'ble Dr. @DrSJaishankar, Minister for External Affairs, Govt. of India
Mrs. Shabnam Begum, a resident of Pahadi Shareef, Hyderabad, was allegedly lured to Muscat, Oman by a local agent with the promise of a housemaid job offering 200 Omani Riyals/month. After… pic.twitter.com/UNrKXbv3QS
— Amjed Ullah Khan MBT (@amjedmbt) July 17, 2026
Indian Embassy in Muscat Issues Statement
The embassy has taken cognisance of the matter and is being taken up at appropriate levels.
— India in Oman (Embassy of India, Muscat) (@Indemb_Muscat) July 18, 2026
In a self-recorded video, she alleged that after reaching Oman, she was made to work in multiple houses for 12 to 15 hours every day without receiving any salary for four months. She further claimed that she was denied access to a mobile phone for about one-and-a-half months, beaten, mistreated and not provided adequate food.
Escaped Employer, Reached Indian Embassy
According to Shabnam, she eventually escaped from her employer's residence and sought refuge at the Indian Embassy in Muscat. She alleged that her passport had been taken away by the recruitment agents and appealed for assistance to return safely to India. Her video message was shared by Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) leader Amjed Ullah Khan, who urged the Ministry of External Affairs to intervene. Indian-Origin Man Gagandeep Singh Jailed for 34 Years in UK for Kidnap, Torture and Rape of Woman.
Indian Embassy Responds
Responding to the appeal on social media, the Embassy of India in Muscat said it had taken cognisance of the matter. "The embassy has taken cognisance of the matter and is being taken up at appropriate levels," it said, indicating that efforts are underway to address the woman's situation.
Demand for Action Against Recruitment Agent
Amjed Ullah Khan also called for immediate intervention by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to ensure Shabnam's safe repatriation to Hyderabad. He further demanded action against the recruitment agent who allegedly sent her to Oman under false promises of employment and salary.
Concerns Over Migrant Worker Safety
The case has once again drawn attention to the risks faced by migrant domestic workers recruited for overseas employment. Labour rights groups have repeatedly highlighted issues such as contract substitution, passport confiscation, excessive working hours and delayed or unpaid wages in some cases involving foreign domestic employment.
Authorities have not yet commented on the specific allegations against the employer or recruitment agent. The matter remains under official review as efforts continue to ensure the woman's safety and facilitate her return to India.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 19, 2026 01:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
