Over 100 workers in Gulf countries from Telangana lodge complaint against two recruiters

More than 100 people of Telangana state, belonging to the districts of Jagtial, Nizamabad and Rajanna-Sircilla, who are working in Gulf countries, have accused two fraudulent migration agents, Ramesh and Simmalla Madhu, of swindling them.

About 50 of them got together at Jagitial town on 3 January and handed over a petition to Anantha Sharma, the district Superintendent of Police, against these two agents.

Both of these operators are said to be living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and operating a recruitment consultancy there.

They allegedly approached natives of Telangana working for various companies in Saudi Arabia and lured them with the promise of better jobs with more pay. Later, they are said to have collected ranging from INR100, 000 to INR300, 000 from each of them to get them placed.

Marripelly Shankar, a victim, was quoted by The Hindu as telling it over the phone that he was getting his salary as promised for one year. But the true intentions of these agents came to light after their salaries were deferred six months ago.

Shankar, a native of Sircilla town, left for Saudi Arabia for work after obtaining 'Azad' visa. After he is said to have paid INR250, 000 to Madhu upon being offered a driver’s job, he was refused his pay. He along with several others were intimidated and beaten up for asking their salaries. They reportedly engaged some natives of Riyadh to intimidate and beat them. They also were threatened for complaining about the payments which were due to them. He added that some were even detained and thrashed.

Similar was Manyapu Ramulu’s story. This resident of Tangelapally mandal of Rajanna-Sircilla district, who left for Saudi Arabia almost three years ago for work, was employed as a fitter with a company when Madhu lured him by promising a better pay.

When his salary was not paid, Ramulu approached the company, which told him that Madhu was the person responsible for his salary as he had hired him.

As Ramulu was left high and dry, his family had to borrow INR25,000 from a money lender in India to pay for his return ticket.

It is said that in the past six months, these two along with 50 other workers had to borrow money to return home. At least 100 other workers who were also enticed by Madhu are said to be stranded in Riyadh.

People looking for a job in Gulf countries need not be misled by such fly-by-night operators. They can instead get in touch with Y-Axis, a renowned firm for overseas placements and immigration services.