19 Indian Youths Held 'Captive' By Travel Agency In Kuwait Reach Chennai

When the men told the agency to break the bond, the agency had reportedly told them to pay Rs 60,000 each for breaking it. 

Earlier, Minister KS Masthan welcomed the people, who got duped in Thailand on the pretext of jobs in Myanmar, at Chennai

Source : File Photo/@ANI

Tamil Nadu youngsters who have been in captivity of a travel agency in Kuwait since last year reached Chennai airport on Tuesday. The youngsters were rescued after they narrated their ordeal to the Indian embassy in the foreign nation. As soon as the men reached Chennai, Tamil Nadu Minister KS Masthan and other officials received them at the airport. 

According to IANS, the youngsters paid the travel firm Rs. 1 lakh each in exchange for a trip to Kuwait in May 2022, where they were promised a salary of Rs. 60,000 per month along with free lodging and meals.

Only upon reaching Kuwait, the youngsters told that they were informed that they would get only a monthly salary of Rs 18,000. They were also told that they should pay for their food and accommodation. The youth were also forced to work for more hours. 

When the men told the agency to break the bond, the agency had reportedly told them to pay Rs 60,000 each for breaking it. 

In June this year, the youngsters were further informed that their visas had expired and they would have to pay Rs 1,25,000 each for renewing the visa. 

The men, however, tried to explain their helpless situation and claimed that they lacked the funds to cover the cost of renewal. However, the agency employees had become enraged by this and promptly disconnected the water and power to their rooms. The young people then spoke with the Indian embassy and described their experience.

Later, Tamil Nadu CM Stalin intervened in the matter. He contacted the Indian embassy in Kuwait for the release of the youth.

Earlier, many youngsters were trafficked to Myanmar from various parts of the state via agents. Around 13 people had applied for jobs in Dubai but were taken to Thailand.