According to estimates, the are about 1,60,000 semi-skilled labourers from India working here. Of them 30,000 are here as domestic help—maids, cooks, drivers, gardeners, agricultural labourers and even fishermen—and are fully insecure. They come here with a contract which talks about security of job, a fixed pay (no less than 900 Riyals for a maid, one Riyal being approximately equal to Rs 12), medical facilities and such. “But the law ends at the doorstep,” says George. “We have no way of assuring all this, because we can’t enter a private house, neither can the police, without elaborate paperwork.”

Hence, when an Indian maid “escaped” her employers and managed to come to us, we managed to intervene and get her a compensation. “The Shariyar court is responsible for most matters, and there is this system of blood money. This could be, in a way, fairer than regular courts, because the victim and family get compensation.” “Overall, though, there remains a lot more to be done. Till such time, we must at least ensure our workers don’t fall into the deep side,” George said.