14 more Kuwait trafficking victims back

By Abigail Mawonde

FOURTEEN more Zimbabwean women arrived in the country yesterday from Kuwait where they were subjected to slavery.

The women were lured by a syndicate of dubious employment agents who promised them lucrative jobs in the tiny Arab country.

Government funded the return of the women through the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

The women were welcomed at the Harare International Airport by Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs chairperson Kindness Paradza.

“As these 14 women were arriving here we received reports that four more women had arrived at our embassy in Kuwait waiting for repatriation.

“Government has facilitated the payment of their air tickets and is going to pay for those who are going to come,” he said.

The women travelled to Kuwait in groups of 15. They are unaware of the whereabouts of some of their colleagues. Paradza said the women indicated some of their colleagues were exported to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan.

“What is needed now is to launch further investigations to see how these women who are still unaccounted for can be located,” said Paradza.

One of the victims is said to have attempted suicide as she could not handle persecution by her employers.

It is not known what happened to the woman.

The 14 women who landed at the Harare International Airport yesterday evening would have medical check-ups and counselling before they are taken to their homes. Paradza applauded Government for working tirelessly to bring back the women.

The women are also expected to help investigations into the human trafficking saga.