ICR&A | Rehana Perveen

Seeking honest, profitable work in a foreign country got Rehana Perveen stuck in a ruinous scam. Misled into going after a promised job in Oman, Perveen got into a case of human trafficking and labour exploitation at the hands of her Kafeel till she found a way out through Sarim Burney Trust. Perveen was led to believe opportunities lie in wait for her in Oman. In the hopes of a good earning and better life, she left her family and home in Pakistan for Oman. What she thought was going to be a respectable job rearing children turned out to be a fraudulent scheme. After getting her Oman visa, she flew to the Gulf State bidding goodbye to her family and venturing into a new country on her own. Perveen did not expect the threatening situation that awaited her there. The Kafala system practiced in Middle Eastern countries like Oman requires immigrant workers to have a sponsor called the Kafeel, to preside over their labour activities. The system follows a rigid model under which immigrant labourers are bound to fulfilling duties for their Kafeel. The labourers’ passports remain under the possession of the Kafeel so their free movement is restricted. Part of the Kafala system are criminals who engage in human trafficking and labour exploitation. Perveen had the misfortune of coming into contact of this corrupt section of the system. At what was supposed to be her new workplace, she found herself trapped in a circle of abuse and torture by the hands of her immigration sponsor. Perveen struggled through a tough time of pain and helplessness while having no way of escape or contacting her family back home. Troubled by the silence from Perveen’s side her husband wrote an application to the Sarim Burney International Center for Rescue and Advocacy (ICR&A) explaining the situation. The ICR&A responded swiftly by approaching Pakistani officials in Oman who work for labour rights and presented Perveen’s situation. Following persistent effort and struggle for the severe case, Perveen was at last rescued and safely brought back home to Pakistan with the help of Sarim Burney Trust. Relieved from eleven months of suffering, it was a victory to see Perveen gladly reunited with her family.