By Elizabeth Mamie Campbell – Information Attaché, Tehran

Tehran, 23rd October, 2026– The Embassy of Sierra Leone in Tehran has, with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), facilitated the safe return of four Sierra Leonean women who were stranded in Iraq after travelling in search of jobs.

The women have now arrived safely in Freetown and have been reunited with their families.

According to the Embassy, the women had travelled to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq after being recruited by agents who promised them domestic jobs paying about US$500 per month. They said they paid over US$2,000 each to facilitate the travel and employment arrangements.

Upon arrival, however, conditions were far different from what was promised. The women alleged that their passports were seized by their employers and that they faced maltreatment, harsh working conditions, delayed salaries and pay far below what they were promised.

They reportedly worked in Kurdistan for between three and four years. After their contracts expired, they spent more than six months searching unsuccessfully for other jobs.

Their plight worsened when they allegedly paid US$1,300 to another agent who promised to take them to Turkey – a promise that never materialized.

The women later came into contact with Iranian authorities, who referred them to the Sierra Leone Embassy in Tehran for consular assistance.

The Embassy then worked closely with IOM in Iran to process their documentation, travel arrangements and other support needed for their safe and orderly return.

Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Iran, H.E. Salamu Koroma, encouraged the returnees to draw lessons from their ordeal and use their return as an opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to their families and the country.

The successful repatriation highlights the critical consular role of Sierra Leone’s missions abroad in protecting nationals in distress and the importance of partnerships with international organisations such as IOM in assisting vulnerable migrants.

The four women are now back in Freetown with their families.