Pakistani high commissioner in Canberra allegedly exploited domestic worker
High commissioner for Pakistan in Canberra is among few others who are in the lime light of Australian national media but not for any good reason this time.
A former employee of the Pakistan High Commissioner claims he was slept in a basement, verbally abused and worked up to 19 hours a day before seeking assistance from Australian authorities. Shahid Mahmood told the ABC's Four Corners program that he slept in a storage space in the basement of the home of Pakistani High Commissioner Naela Chohan for more 18 months (approx.) before got help with Canberra Legal Aid. He described his pay of around $100 a week being sent to his family in Pakistan every few months. Mr Mahmood was granted permanent residency by the Australian government in September last year. Department of immigration informed ABC that "The Attorney-General has issued a certificate confirming that you have made a contribution to, and cooperated closely with, an investigation".
High commissioner MS Naila Chohan term in Australia is nearly over and she was due to attend farewell functions on this weekend in Sydney. Now organizers received the information from Pakistani high commission that due to illness of close relative of MS Naila Chohan, she is travelling overseas and won’t be able to attend the function. MS Chohan was also due to appear in SBS Radio Urdu LIVE program on Sunday 18th. February but now there is no fresh confirmation received from her despite various contacts. Pakistani High commission in Canberra also did not respond SBS calls to bring the high commissioner view point against the allegations of domestic servant aired by ABC four corner program on Monday.
Story is again ignited the debate of immunity to foreign diplomats that limits Australian authorities’ power to intervene against abuse of personal servant of diplomats.
Source: Facebook Pakistani High commission building Canberra
Source: ABC four corner
Source: facebook Pakistan High Commission
Pakistani High commissioner Ms Naela Chohan declined to appear but gave a statement to the ABC saying "I can assure you that all and each of the allegations are baseless, unfounded and motivated". ABC's Four Corners program revealed on Monday that the Salvation Army has dealt with more than 20 cases of workers being exploited in diplomatic households, mostly in Canberra. Union ACT spoke person said “Canberra embassies exploiting domestic workers and embassy staff and diplomats shouldn't be allowed to get away with this, and they are allowed to abide by the federal government." There's a lot of denial in the community that this kind of exploitation happens in Canberra, but it is, and it's very serious," Mr White said. Secretary of the ACT branch of United Voice Lyndal Ryan said she was concerned about any situation that tied a person's visa to their employment, and that members of her union had reported issues with exploitation in the embassies to the union.
ACT Police told Fairfax Media that it had received complaints from workers within diplomatic residencies or embassies. "Allegations such as these are inherently complex and require consultation with a number of government agencies and non-government organisations," a spokesperson said. Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop said "the Australian Government has strict procedures and checks to ensure foreign diplomats comply with Australian laws and regulations when they bring privately employed staff to work in their households". "DFAT treats allegations of mistreatment of domestic workers by foreign diplomats very seriously and are a matter for the police," she said.
Source: ABC four corner
Source: ABC four corner twitter
