Berhampur: Five labourers from Odisha, who had gone to Abu Dhabi in search of better work one and half year ago, have appealed the Ganjam district administration to make urgent efforts to rescue them after the company in which they were working, has stopped their salary since last three months.
The five labourers are Amir Pradhan of Khurda district, Ashok Biswal and Santosh Swain of Badhi Nuapalli village, Babula Patra of Gangpur village and K Subani of Chikiti block of Ganjam district.
Reports said the five labourers were taken to Abu Dhabi by an agency in Berhampur about one and half year ago. All of them were working in a company Wide Plus Decor and Technical Services LLC. But their plight became miserable after the company stopped their salary three months ago.
“We have no money with us since last five months. Though we have requested the police to help us, it has not taken any steps till date. We, therefore, request you to make necessary arrangements to take us to India at the earliest”, a desperate Amir Pradhan has requested the Ganjam district administration through a message in a social media.
Talking to OTV today, Anand Swain, father of Santosh said “We are worried about the plight of my son there. My daughter-in-law, who has a baby, has given up food since last two days after she came to know about the situation a couple of days ago”, he added.
Rashmita Biswal, sister of Ashok, said his brother cannot come from there as he does not have a voter identity card and passport. “I request the district administration to make necessary arrangements to enable him to return to his village”, she said.
After coming to know about the plight of these five labourers, the family members today met the Ganjam sub collector and requested him to take urgent steps to bring their kin from Abu Dhabi.
Talking about the matter, Sudhir Kumar Nayak, Assistant Labour Officer, Berhampur said he has noted down the statement of the parents of Ashok Swain and sister of Ashok Biswal. “I will submit the statements to the State Labour department to take necessary action”, he added.
Asked about the steps the district administration is going to take, Ganjam collector Premchand Choudhury said, “We are investigating into the agency through which the five labourers were taken to Abu Dhabi. After we get the inquiry report, we will write to the State Labour department which will coordinate with the External Affairs ministry”.