INDIAN MISSION TAKING ACTION OVER ISSUE OF NON PAYMENT OF ODISHA ‘S LABORERES IN SUDAN

INDIAN MISSION TAKING ACTION OVER ISSUE OF NON PAYMENT OF ODISHA ‘S LABORERES IN SUDAN
16/03/2012

ODISHA NEWS:


Indian Mission in Khartoum taking action over issue of Non-Payment of Labourers from Odisha in Sudan. There have been many recent instances of exploitation of Odia labourers in abroad.


It should be noted that last year families members complained that Odia labourers are being held captive after being taken to Sudan to work on an project there. They were taken by one M/s Bhabani Constructions Pvt. Ltd, Kolam, Kerala, and Bhabani Electrical Company Pvt. Ltd Chennai and promised remunerations and good medical facilities. However after they reached Sudan, they were ill treated and kept in inhuman conditions without adequate food and medical facilities.


A reference from the State Government of Odisha was received regarding the non payment of assured wages and non-providence of proper food and shelter to workmen from Odisha who had been deployed to work in Power Plant construction in Sudan.


One more reference was received from the State Government of Odisha regarding the harassment of Oriya workers working in the Kosti Thermal Project, Kosti (Sudan). Another reference was received from the Odisha Government with respect to the grievances of workers at a Central Plant under construction in the Central African Republic. References regarding the exploitation of Migrant Labour of Odisha in South Africa and Lebanon have not been received.


The matter was taken up by the Ministry with the Indian Mission in Khartoum. They have reported on 18-04-2011 that out of 216 workers working with a construction company, Sudan, 198 were sent back by 31-12-2010 and 18 workers agreed to continue and were allowed to work at the site. Similarly, the Indian Mission at Khartoum intimated on 26-09-2011 that 68 workers from Odisha had been repatriated from Kosti Thermal Project, Sudan. Further, with the intervention of Indian Mission, Kinshasa, all the 23 workers from Odisha were repatriated from the Central African Republic.



SIDDHARTHA SHANKAR MISHRA,
BUREAU CHIEF, THESE DAYS,
ODISHA