‘Please, save me’
In a desperate attempt to secure solvency, Abiron Begum (40) of Khulna’s Paikgachha, went to Saudi Arabia to work as a housekeeper in July, 2017.
Two years and three months later, her family members received her in a coffin.
Her relatives said they received the body at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital yesterday morning, upon completion of necessary procedure at the Prabashi Kalyan Desk under the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment. At the time of filing this report last night, Abiron’s body was being taken to Khulna for burial.
Abiron suffered severe torture at her employers’ home, alleged her younger sister Reshma Khatun.
Talking to this newspaper over phone last night, Reshma said they could not communicate with Abiron over the past seven-eight months.
The family only recently learnt of her death after extended communication with the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board (WEWB) in Dhaka, Reshma added.
She alleged when she spoke to her sister, Abiron used to describe abuse that she faced at the hands of her employers.
“They beat me up mercilessly, and shove my head against [hot iron] grill. Please, save me,” Reshma quoted her sister as saying.
Abiron was second among six sisters. She got divorced about 17-18 years back, said her relative Ayub Ali.
She did not get her due wages in Saudi Arabia, he alleged.
Ayub said Abiron went overseas with the help of a middleman: one Rabiul of Paikgachha.
He demanded that the authorities take apt measures to identify the real reason behind her death and ensure justice.
Contacted over phone, WEWB Director General Gazi Mohammad Julhash said if a migrant worker dies abroad, WEWB takes initiative upon being informed.
It also takes steps to bring back the body home and hand it over to family members, he said.
Julhash said the Bangladesh missions also prepare reports where they mention the reason behind the death of migrant workers.
Still, family members can file complaint with the authorities concerned for further investigation, he said.
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