Since returning home on September 27, the 21-year-old has been undergoing counselling at a psychiatric hospital in Kerala's capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. Photo: Kannu family
Since returning home on September 27, the 21-year-old has been undergoing counselling at a psychiatric hospital in Kerala's capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. Photo: Kannu family
Since returning home on September 27, the 21-year-old has been undergoing counselling at a psychiatric hospital in Kerala's capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. Photo: Kannu family
Since returning home on September 27, the 21-year-old has been undergoing counselling at a psychiatric hospital in Kerala's capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. Photo: Kannu family

News

UAE

Indian man duped by rogue recruiters returns home under UAE visa amnesty

Shanu Kannu's family urge action against fake agents who lure people to Dubai with promises of good jobs

Ramola Talwar Badam
Ramola Talwar Badam

October 17, 2024

  • English
  • Arabic

An Indian man who was stranded in Dubai for two months after being cheated by rogue recruitment agents has flown home thanks to the UAE's visa amnesty.

Shanu Kannu, from the south Indian state of Kerala, was left penniless with no food and nowhere to live after he refused to take on work other than what was promised to him.

Speaking to The National, his family said the unscrupulous agents told the 21-year-old he had a job at a Dubai grocery store after they paid 100,000 rupees (Dh4,370) in visa fees. But, when he got to Dubai, he was forced to work on building sites. Elder sister Fatima said the physical and verbal abuse he endured from the so-called recruiters has impacted his mental health.

Since returning home on September 27, he has been undergoing counselling at a psychiatric hospital in Kerala's capital city of Thiruvananthapuram.

The National could not speak to Mr Kannu directly as his doctors and social workers said he was not in the right frame of mind.

We want to talk about these agents who fool young people with fake jobs, show fake hotel bookings and fake return air tickets
Fatima Kannu,
sister of Shanu Kannu

The family has filed a complaint against an agent in Kerala and contacted the Indian Consulate in Dubai for support in blacklisting a recruiter in the UAE so other people do not fall prey to fake job offers. They have also shared photos with authorities of cramped living conditions and videos that show Mr Kannu's bruises.

“Shanu was normal when he left Kerala in August. He was healthy and had no psychiatric problems,” said Ms Kannu, a 24-year-old dentist. “He was confident, he wanted to earn well in Dubai and had so many dreams … to build a home for our family.

“When he came back, he was nervous, crying all the time. He keeps repeating that he was beaten. We are happy he is home but our money is gone and Shanu is not OK. The doctor said he is suffering from a mental breakdown and that it will take some time to recover.”

Unethical recruiters

The Indian Consulate in Dubai has promised “strict action against any agents found to be exploiting labourers” and confirmed they have “been addressing the issues faced by Indian labourers with the concerned authorities”.

The consulate said those looking for jobs overseas must follow the procedures on the Indian government's e-migrate portal before taking up offers.

The consulates of India and other nations with a large presence of workers in the Gulf have repeatedly told people to use recruiters verified on government portals and to fly out only with a firm job offer.

Mr Kannu’s family said they were unaware of the tactics of rogue recruiters as several of their neighbours in Kerala had worked for years in Gulf countries.

False promises

Mr Kannu arrived in Sharjah in August on a visit visa believing it would be converted into an employment visa. He was promised a monthly salary of Dh1,400 plus transport, accommodation and medical cover.

Instead, he was made to lift heavy material at building sites, his sister said. “When he protested, they made him work long hours as an AC (air conditioner) mechanic even though he has no experience in it. He holds a diploma in plumbing,” she said.

When things got tough, he would “call us to say that the work is very hard and the agents had cheated us”.

Ms Kannu said the agents would beat him and leave him in tears.

Shanu Kannu left his hometown in south India in August believing he had secured a job at a Dubai grocery store. Photo: Kannu family
Shanu Kannu left his hometown in south India in August believing he had secured a job at a Dubai grocery store. Photo: Kannu family

“Once we got a call from the Sharjah Police after they found him in a disoriented state at the airport” without his luggage or passport, she said. “The police said he could leave the country as there was no case against him,” she added.

Ms Kannu even received a call from the agent, urging them to take Mr Kannu home because he had a “mental problem”.

Community support

The family was desperate to get him home and Ms Kannu reached out to Dubai-based social worker Girish Pant for help.

“He had no documents so initially it was difficult to process his papers,” Mr Pant, a CSR adviser with the BNW real estate firm, told The National.

Working under the UAE amnesty initiative, Mr Pant secured an emergency travel document and exit pass from the consulate and got flight tickets funded by the Indian Association Sharjah.

Mr Kannu was also given medical support and counselling at hospitals in Dubai and Sharjah before his journey home. “Only after he became calmer and less distressed was he able to fly,” Mr Pant said.

Setting an example

Despite being in a difficult situation, with the family having to mortgage their home and now struggling to repay the loan taken to pay for the job, they are determined to share their story so other young people do not get duped into leaving their home country.

“Shanu is not our old Shanu. We don’t want this to happen to someone else,” Ms Kannu said. The siblings' parents are dependent on their children for financial support.

“We want to talk about these agents who fool young people with fake jobs, show fake hotel bookings and fake return air tickets,” she said.

“These young boys are put in rooms crowded with triple-decker beds. Because they are poor, the boys continue to work because they want to make up the money their family has spent for them to go abroad. But, when my brother said no … they beat him up.

“Now I tell people to go abroad only when the job is confirmed.”

UAE labour law

In August, the UAE amended labour regulations under a major drive to bolster workers' rights.

Authorities announced fines from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million for firms employing workers without valid work permits, bringing workers to the country without providing jobs or closing businesses without settling obligations to workers.

A Closer Look: UAE visa amnesty explained

Tomorrow 2021
On Women's Day
The specs: 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 60kWh battery
Transmission: Single-speed Electronic Precision Shift
Power: 204hp
Torque: 360Nm
​​​​​​​Range: 520km (claimed)

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%20four-cyl%20turbo%20%2B%20mild%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E204hp%20at%205%2C800rpm%20%2B23hp%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C800rpm%20%2B205Nm%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E9-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7.3L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2FDecember%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh205%2C000%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20HyveGeo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abdulaziz%20bin%20Redha%2C%20Dr%20Samsurin%20Welch%2C%20Eva%20Morales%20and%20Dr%20Harjit%20Singh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECambridge%20and%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESustainability%20%26amp%3B%20Environment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24200%2C000%20plus%20undisclosed%20grant%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVenture%20capital%20and%20government%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
While you're here
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Brave CF 27 fight card

Welterweight:
Abdoul Abdouraguimov (champion, FRA) v Jarrah Al Selawe (JOR)

Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (TUN) v Alex Martinez (CAN)

Welterweight:
Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA) v Khamzat Chimaev (SWE)

Middleweight:
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Rustam Chsiev (RUS)
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) v Christofer Silva (BRA)

Super lightweight:
Alex Nacfur (BRA) v Dwight Brooks (USA)

Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) v Tariq Ismail (CAN)
Chris Corton (PHI) v Zia Mashwani (PAK)

Featherweight:
Sulaiman (KUW) v Abdullatip (RUS)

Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) v Mohammad Al Katib (JOR)

More coverage from the Future Forum
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
On Women's Day
Tomorrow 2021
Zayed Sustainability Prize
If you go

The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.

UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Whiile you're here
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

While you're here
War on waste
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE tour of the Netherlands

UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures:
Monday, 1st 50-over match
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match

While you're here

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

While you're here
E-cigarettes report
UAE currency
MATCH INFO

Champions League quarter-final, first leg

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)

Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

More on this story
On Women's Day
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
More on this story:
On Women's Day
Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs

Engine: 3.0-litre flat-six twin-turbocharged

Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic

Power: 445bhp

Torque: 530Nm

Price: Dh474,600

On Sale: Now

Results

5pm: Al Falah – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Bshara, Richard Mullen (jockey), Salem Al Ketbi (trainer)

5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

6pm: Al Dhafra – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: AF Mualami, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud

6.30pm: Al Khaleej Al Arabi – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Hawafez, Adrie de Vries, Abubakar Daud

7pm: Al Mafraq – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: JAP Almahfuz, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi

7.30pm: Al Samha – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Celestial Spheres, Patrick Cosgrave, Ismail Mohammed

KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Our commentary on Brexit
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

PRESIDENTS CUP

Draw for Presidents Cup fourball matches on Thursday (Internationals first mention). All times UAE:

02.32am (Thursday): Marc Leishman/Joaquin Niemann v Tiger Woods/Justin Thomas
02.47am (Thursday): Adam Hadwin/Im Sung-jae v Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay
03.02am (Thursday): Adam Scott/An Byeong-hun v Bryson DeChambeau/Tony Finau
03.17am (Thursday): Hideki Matsuyama/CT Pan v Webb Simpson/Patrick Reed
03.32am (Thursday): Abraham Ancer/Louis Oosthuizen v Dustin Johnson/Gary Woodland

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Plastic tipping points
E-cigarette report
School uniforms report
More on Quran memorisation:
More on animal trafficking
While you're here
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Comment on Coronavirus
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
Read more about the coronavirus
While you're here
Plastic tipping point
Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

12%20restaurants%20opening%20at%20the%20hotel%20this%20month
%3Cp%3EAriana%E2%80%99s%20Persian%20Kitchen%3Cbr%3EDinner%20by%20Heston%20Blumenthal%3Cbr%3EEstiatorio%20Milos%3Cbr%3EHouse%20of%20Desserts%3Cbr%3EJaleo%20by%20Jose%20Andres%3Cbr%3ELa%20Mar%3Cbr%3ELing%20Ling%3Cbr%3ELittle%20Venice%20Cake%20Company%3Cbr%3EMalibu%2090265%3Cbr%3ENobu%20by%20the%20Beach%3Cbr%3EResonance%20by%20Heston%20Blumenthal%3Cbr%3EThe%20Royal%20Tearoom%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
More election coverage
Transgender report
The Buckingham Murders

Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu

Director: Hansal Mehta

Rating: 4 / 5

Fitness problems in men's tennis

Andy Murray - hip

Novak Djokovic - elbow

Roger Federer - back

Stan Wawrinka - knee

Kei Nishikori - wrist

Marin Cilic - adductor

While you're here

Michael Young: Where is Lebanon headed?

Kareem Shaheen: I owe everything to Beirut

Raghida Dergham: We have to bounce back

More from this package
A%20QUIET%20PLACE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Lupita%20Nyong'o%2C%20Joseph%20Quinn%2C%20Djimon%20Hounsou%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMichael%20Sarnoski%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Transgender report
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.5-litre%204-cylinder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20101hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20135Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Six-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh79%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Episode list:

Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery 

Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges 

Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic 

Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks 

Ep5: Travel and tourism 

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

More from this package
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

While you're here
COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed 

World Mental Health Day
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tomorrow 2021
Neighbourhood Watch
School uniforms report
Updated: October 17, 2024, 4:10 AM`
IndiaDubaiSharjahUAE