The difficult situation faced by migrant workers has become all too familiar through our development cooperation project in Bangladesh. Fortunately, there are several success stories every year. This is one of them.
In 2018, Suma Akter left Bangladesh in the hope of building a better future. She had been promised a job as a medical nanny in Saudi Arabia, but the reality was very different. Upon arrival, she was forced into domestic work, subjected to abuse, and moved between several households without pay. Isolated and without support, she had no clear way to return home.
In this desperate situation, Suma came into contact with Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP), a partner of Caritas Finland in the project Collective Action for Improving Migrant Workers’ Rights and Access to Justice in Bangladesh. OKUP helped her reach the relevant authorities, which led to her rescue and repatriation to Bangladesh in 2019.
Returning home did not mean the end of her struggles. The physical and psychological effects of the abuse continued to affect her health and well-being. OKUP provided psychosocial support, medical assistance, and legal counselling. With this support, Suma gradually regained the confidence needed to seek justice for what she had experienced.
The legal process lasted more than six years. Along the way, it was hindered by delays, postponed hearings, and various procedural obstacles. Despite these challenges, Suma refused to give up. Throughout the process, OKUP continued to stand by her side, covering legal and travel costs while providing ongoing guidance and support.
After years of persistence, justice finally began to take shape. The recruitment agency agreed to compensate Suma for unpaid wages, medical expenses, and the severe abuse she had endured. The compensation represented an important acknowledgment that the injustice she suffered had been recognized.
The project’s support extended beyond the legal process. Suma participated in entrepreneurship training, where she gained business and financial management skills. Using the compensation she received, together with her own savings, she established a small livestock and poultry farm. The family also purchased an auto-rickshaw to help generate additional income.
Today, Suma’s family enjoys greater financial stability and improved prospects for the future. Although the memories of her experience remain, she has been able to rebuild her life and create new opportunities for herself and her loved ones. Her story demonstrates how timely support, access to justice, and personal determination can help transform lives and restore hope for the future.
