Odisha labourers rescued from Tamil Nadu after OTV report highlights ordeal

At least eight Odia labourers trapped in exploitative working conditions in Tamil Nadu have finally returned home, thanks to swift action taken by the state Labour Department after an OTV news report exposed their plight.

The workers, all hailing from the Bhanjanagar area of Ganjam district, had gone to the Neelakottai region in Tamil Nadu in search of better livelihood. They were employed in a biscuit manufacturing company, but soon found themselves subjected to alleged exploitation and inhumane working conditions.

According to sources, the labourers were allegedly denied proper food, overworked without pay, and were not allowed to contact their families. Desperate and helpless, their family members back in Odisha approached the Ganjam District Collector, pleading for help.

One of the rescued workers, Pooja, said, “We were lured with good salary and food. But our owner used to beat and threaten us.”

After OTV telecast a report detailing the suffering of these workers, it caught the attention of the authorities. The Labour Department swiftly coordinated with officials in Tamil Nadu and launched an effort to trace and rescue the stranded labourers.

Following successful coordination, all eight workers were safely rescued and brought back to Odisha. They were finally reunited with their families, ending weeks of trauma and uncertainty.

Surath Kumar Swain, Bhanjanagar Assistant Labour Officer, said, “We were constantly in touch with them and our counterparts. Through coordinated efforts, we were able to rescue all nine labourers and sent them to their native village.”

The incident has once again underscored the need for stricter monitoring of interstate migrant labour conditions and stronger safeguards to protect vulnerable workers from falling prey to exploitative labour practices.

Officials from the Labour Department have assured that the matter is being further investigated and action will be taken against the company if found guilty of violating labour rights.