Several migrant workers from Odisha's Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack and over eight from Kendrapara district are now stranded in Dubai. They were working plumbers in Dubai and have alleged mental and physical torture, unpaid salaries and passport confiscation.
In a video message, they narrated their ordeal and revealed how they had been deprived of food for the last five days.
The workers alleged that they were being made to work under extreme conditions for long hours without food and pay. Their passports have been allegedly confiscated by their employer who is threatening them with life.
Through a video, the workers appealed to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and BJP National Vice-President and Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda to rescue them immediately from the Gulf capital.
According to sources, the workers from Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur and Cuttack were taken to Dubai to work as plumbers a month ago. A private agent from Bhubaneswar took them to Dubai on the false promise of better pay.
However, the workers have alleged torture by their employer. They are not even able to return home as their passports have been confiscated, the workers alleged.
With folded hands, the workers said, “We request our Chief Minister that we have been held captive in Dubai. They are forcing us to work in extreme conditions and threatening to throw us out of work if we don’t work. We are not given our passports. We are in deep trouble, so we request our CM to save us.”
“We have not even eaten for five days. Baijayant Panda is our MP, so we also request him with folded hands to immediately rescue us and save our lives,” they added.
No comments could be obtained from the agent or their employer in this regard.