90 SL female domestic workers stranded in Oman

• Most of them have arrived using visit or tourist visas intending to convert them to work visas

At least 90 Sri Lankan female domestic workers who have have arrived using visit or tourist visas are stranded in Oman seeking repatriation assistance, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Muscat said.  

The Embassy said that it receives an increasing number of complaints daily from Sri Lankan female domestic workers who arrived in Oman.  

Most of them have arrived using visit or tourist visas intending to convert them to work visas. Many of them were trafficked by unscrupulous and unregistered agents and have faced tremendous difficulties including various harassment, the Embassy said in a statement.  

Around 90 Sri Lankan female domestic workers are currently stranded in Oman as they could not afford the expenses relating to their repatriation such as visa, overstay penalty, air ticket, agent fees, and the cost of recruitment demanded by their respective sponsors.  

The Embassy said the Sri Lankan victims were sheltered at the safehouse for which the expenses are borne by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE). The Embassy provides welfare facilities to these female workers which includes medical assistance.  

The Embassy has been continuously coordinating with the Omani authorities to facilitate the early repatriation of these migrant workers.  

The Embassy has facilitate the repatriation of over 240 female workers during this year and the Embassy said it has also sought the assistance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to assist such victims.  

The Embassy encourages Sri Lankans who seek jobs in Oman to obtain their employment only through proper channels.