Indian women sold for £4,000 in Saudia Arabia and Bahrain, minister claims

Female migrants are being tricked into travelling to Gulf states by recruitment agents on the promise of triple pay

The minister alleged that women are being denied human rights in Gulf state prisons (Getty Images)

Indian women are being sold “like products” for just £4000 in Saudia Arabia and £2000 in Bahrain, according to India’s welfare minister.

Palle Raghunatha Reddy claimed that women from the southern Andhra Pradesh region of India are being held in horrific conditions in Gulf state jails after fleeing their husbands and employers.

In a letter to India’s foreign minister, Reddy appealed to the national government to protect women from overseas recruitment agents who sell them on as if they came from a “retail shop” after luring them from their homeland on the promise of triple pay.

Female migrants in Saudi are tricked into overstaying their visas and jailed on petty offences while their cases are heard before being sold to the highest bidder, the minister alleged.

Experts estimate that over twenty thousand Indian women have been detained in poor conditions having travelled from Andhra and neighbouring state Telangana.

There have been complaints of physical abuse, mistreatment, non-payment of salary and denial of fundamental human rights.

Reddy confirmed that more than 25 women currently in Gulf jails have sought help from the Andhra Pradesh state government in the past few months.

He added: “Necessary steps should be initiated to bring them to their native areas safely by providing free travel and necessary visa documents at the earliest possible opportunity.

"Instructions should be issued to Indian embassy officials in Gulf countries to interfere in the matter and provide necessary help in terms of food, clothing and shelter."

In response the Indian government confirmed it would send ministers to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. next month to investigate the conditions migrants are being held in.

An official from Andhra Pradesh meanwhile said the state authority is in the process of appointing lawyers to provide legal aid to Indian prisoners in the Gulf region.

The Independent has contacted Amnesty International for comment.