TV
Over 40 youths from Odisha who travelled to the Maldives six months ago in hopes of better employment opportunities in a private company are now reportedly stranded under poor working conditions and no pay.
Through a video, the stranded workers have appealed to the government to rescue them.
In the video, the workers alleged that despite working for months, the company, Renaatus, has not paid their salaries and is forcing them to survive in dire conditions.
As per the allegations, a man named Kishore Barik of Pratap village under Banapur Tehsil limits of Khordha district acted as an agent and facilitated the migration of these men, about 45 in number including from Odisha and other states to the Maldives.
Meanwhile, the group has alleged been confined and intimidated when they raised voices against the company’s inhospitable working and living conditions. They also claimed having to pay for food and accommodation. and that electricity connection is also being snapped to pressurise them.
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“Despite working for four to five months, we have only received proper pay for one month. The living conditions are very dire and the company often threatens or jails us if we protest against them,” alleged one Odia youth while narrating entire ordeal in the video.
The men closed their video with a request to the government to ensure their security and safe return to their native places across the states of Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh.
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No comments could be obtained from the Odisha government in connection with the matter.
