Slaves of Saudis

Book Name in Malayalam : സൗദികളുടെ അടിമകള്‍

When you applied for work in Saudi Arabia ( KSA ) , didn’t you think you would work for a few years , make a pile , marry off your daughter or sister , build a home , and retire to the good life? When you paid the huge commission to the recruitment agent and a large fee for your visa , did anybody tell you the bad news ? That your contract may be ‘ renegotiated ’ once you land in Saudi Arabia. You may not be paid your salary for months. You may have to sleep in chains. You may be falsely charged , perfunctorily tried and jailed. You may be threatened with sacking or your salary may be withheld if you spurn your employer’s ‘ suggestion ’ to convert to Islam. If you are a maid, you might be raped . If you are a male you may be thrashed by your boss for even a minor bungle.

The dangers foreign workers face in Saudi Arabia are manifold. Yet the foreign embassies behave like ostriches , leaving the vulnerable employees to Saudi&rsquo ; s mercy. Meanwhile , thousands continue to queue up with job agents in New Delhi , Mumbai , Karachi , Dhaka , Colombo , Manila and other cities... lured by the petrodollars that they believe will fulfil their dreams of a better life for themselves and their families.

Saudikalude Adimakal is the Malayalam version of Joy C Raphael’s famous book ’Slaves of Saudis: Terrorisation of Foreign Workers&rsquo ; translated by Saumya Bhushan . A sensitive account on the brutality dealt out to migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, &rsquo ; Saudikalude Adimakal & rsquo; dispenses upon itself a status of informed responsibility as it traverses the crimes and injustices dealt out a marginalized minority.