Despite reports of large scale exploitation, women from poor families continue to head towards the Gulf nations in search of jobs, hopeful of a better future. Hundreds of unskilled women from the state migrate to these nations every year, landing themselves in situations where they are left vulnerable to physical and mental abuse. In the last six months alone, 14 women were brought back from various parts of the Gulf to the state.

In a workshop organized by the National Domestic Workers' Movement-AP (NDWM-AP) in Hyderabad on Wednesday, several migrants interacted with women who plan to migrate, discussing problems they had personally encountered during their stay in the Gulf countries. They made them aware of their rights and gave them insights on how to tackle various situations which could arise once they move to the foreign land.

"Since a lot of migrants tend to go to the Middle East countries, it's essential that people themselves become part of the campaign in our fight against illegal migration," said Lissy Joseph, state coordinator of the NDWM-AP. According to her nearly 50,000 women from Andhra Pradesh are working in the Gulf nations. A stream of women are seen every day at the office of the Protector of Emigration, that gives the final clearance for the emigration, applying for migration, she added.

In a most recent case, a 28-year-old woman from Purnapul area was brought back from the Gulf with a broken back. Put to untold mental and physical torture by her employers, she managed to get help and was brought back to Hyderabad where she is recuperating.

As part of the workshop, the participants were enlightened about their rights and services that could be availed in case they encountered any problem. Migrants Rights Council vice-president M Bheem Reddy said that those who intend to move to the Middle East should start acquainting themselves with the laws and culture of land much in advance. "Those who are ignorant about the laws tend to land themselves in trouble," said Reddy. NDWM in association with other NGOs in the city has been giving training to the potential migrants, more so in various parts of the Old City.