Monica Kachhap's Dubai Nightmare: Adivasi Woman Trapped in Forced Labour Scam

Ranchi-based nurse Monica Kachhap, 35, had hoped her new job in Dubai would help her pay mounting bills. However, instead she found herself trapped in a forced labour scam.

The Adivasi woman, who had been lured to the UAE with promises of a lucrative job, was allegedly made to do household work at various homes for months, despite initially being promised a nursing job.

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Monica, who had been working as a nurse at a private hospital in Ranchi, had contacted an agency running a domestic staff recruitment page on Instagram, promising lucrative jobs to women like her in Dubai. However, she soon found herself in a desperate situation, with her passport being held by the agency and her promised job turned into a nightmare.

Monika has accused her facilitators of pressuring her into signing documents that would obligate her to repay a debt of 12,600 dirhams. Equivalent to 3.29 lakh rupees, with interest. The debt, allegedly incurred while she was caring for patients and children in foreign residences, carries severe penalties, including jail time.

Monika also alleges she was shuffled between multiple homes without adequate language support, despite not being fluent in Arabic.

Monika's family has filed an FIR against the agency and its members. Alleging that they had been lured abroad with promises of a job. Food and accommodation but were subsequently subjected to forced labour and kept from returning home.

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Her father, Ratna, has appealed to the government to help bring his daughter back from Dubai.

Authorities are currently in touch with the Indian Embassy to coordinate efforts and safely repatriate Monika. Sub-Inspector Pankaj Sharma of the Airport Police Station confirmed that a complaint had been lodged by her family members. And an FIR had been registered at the Airport.