Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Vice President, Baijayant Panda wrote a letter to the Indian Ambassador, requesting diplomatic intervention to rescue 21 labourers, who are stuck in Gabon in Central Africa and ensure their safe return to India.
As many as 21 labourers including 14 from Odisha, four from Bihar and one each from Rajasthan, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh had gone to Gabon through an agent, with the hope of earning a livelihood. While the agent promised them a job with a monthly salary of Rs 50,000, they had given him Rs 1 lakh each, Baijayant Panda mentioned in his letter.
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Unbeknownst to the fate waiting for them in Gabon, they flew there. Days later, their dream of earning some money was dashed to the ground. The company authorities would subject them to physical and mental torture and force them to work for over 12 hours every day.
In a video message, they had informed about their plights to their respective family members.
With no option left, the worried family members had requested Baijayant Panda through BJP's Kendrapara district vice president Krushnachandra Panda to take steps to bring them back to India.
Baijayant Panda, who is best known for going the extra mile in such cases, contacted the Indian Ambassador, briefed him about the Indian labourers’ predicament and requested assistance and support to bring the labourers back to India safely.