BDRunner Online: – The Nepal Helpline in Male has taken active steps to rescue Susila Kumari Chowdhury, a Nepali woman who was trapped in a near-captive state on the remote island of Tinod in the Maldives. Nepal Helpline representative Saroj Sapkota said that work is being coordinated with the Nepali Embassy in Colombo to send Susila back to Nepal via Male safely.
This incident is not limited to labour exploitation but also involves serious violations of international labor laws, human rights conventions and international regulations on women’s safety.
According to the Nepal Helpline, Susila arrived in the Maldives on December 2, 2025 and was sent to Tinod island via Male. Within three to four days of starting work, a group of five to six people entered the shop one night and asked her to turn off the lights and cameras in the shop.
Susila protested, saying, “This cannot be done without the owner’s permission.” She was then intimidated, which seriously threatened her personal safety and dignity. This is a clear violation of ILO Convention No. 29 (Forced Labour Convention) and Convention No. 190 (Violence and Harassment at Work).
Later, the shop owner threatened Susila for not cooperating. She then realized that she was trapped in an unsafe and illegal situation and decided to return to Nepal.
Srikrishna Phual, a Nepali journalist based in the Maldives, said that the owner demanded that Susila be reimbursed for the cost of transporting her from Male to Tinoddu Island. The Nepal Helpline then deposited 3,252 Maldivian Rufiyaa in the company’s account.
However, the owner immediately demanded more money in the name of medical and other alleged expenses. This behavior violates Article 4 (prohibition of slavery and forced labor) and Article 23 (right to a just and safe work environment) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
When the Nepal Helpline asked to file a complaint with the police, the owner claimed that he was in contact with the local police. This situation raises serious questions about the Rule of Law and Host Country Obligation principles, because, under international law, the host country is responsible for ensuring the safety of a foreign worker.
After the complaint to the police, the administration promised to provide tickets from the island to Male and then to Kathmandu, but in reality, no effective action was taken. As a result, the tickets purchased by the Nepal Helpline also remained unused. Serious violation of international law and labor rights
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