Indian women 'sold' in Gulf states for $1,500

Indian women are being sold in Gulf states "like products in a retail shop" for just a few thousand dollars, an Indian state minister has said.

Palle Raghunatha Reddy, state minister in Andhra Pradesh, claimed that Indian women in Saudi Arabia are "sold" for just under $6,000, while in Bahrain, the UAE and Kuwait they can be "bought" for as little as $1,500. 

He raised his concerns about this horrifying practice in a letter to the country's Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, The Indian Express reported.

Reddy claimed that the women are languishing in Gulf prisons after fleeing abusive employers and husbands.

He appealed to the Swaraj to take steps to protect female migrant workers, who described as being lured to the Gulf countries by recruiters with promises of higher pay.

Upon arrival, however, it is alleged that they are tricked into overstaying their visas and are then jailed for minor offences. At this stage they are sold on to new employers, while they await their case hearings.

"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," Reddy urged in his letter.

"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."

The minister from Andhra Pradesh also said there were more than 25 women from his state currently seeing help after being jailed in the Gulf in recent months.

Cases of abuse against migrant workers in the Gulf are worryingly frequent. One Indian labourer was detained in Saudi Arabia in March for exposing alleged abuse of workers by his employers.

In response to the minister's recent letter, the Indian government have said that they will send a delegation of ministers to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain next month to investigate the allegations.