Bhubaneswar: Soon after a report by Odisha Television (OTV) on 10 Odia labourers reportedly trapped in Saudi Arabia and subjected to exploitation, the External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj asked the Indian Embassy in Riyadh to take action to rescue the workers.
Replying to the report tweeted by OTV, the External Affairs minister from her official twitter handle tagged the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, following which the embassy authorities confirmed on twitter, “Embassy cognizant of it and actively working towards their repatriation.”
In a series of reply to concerns raised on the micro-blogging site following the publication of the report, the embassy assured – “We are also vigorously pursuing this... Working on it and are confident to resolve the issue.”
On May 8, OTV’s report highlighted how kin of as many as 10 labourers who are allegedly trapped in Saudi Arabia, are being subjected to exploitation and even facing a threat to life have sought the intervention of the State Government and the Ganjam district administration to rescue them.
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As per reports, 24 labourers from various blocks of Ganjam district went to Saudi Arabia five months back through an agent from Andhra Pradesh. Reportedly, they were engaged in Al Riyadh Construction Company. However, it is alleged that after getting 2 months’ pay, their passports were seized and they are being exploited and also have threat to life.
Family members of 10 labourers from Tambuda village under Mathasarsingh and S Sachina panchayats of Beguniapara block of Ganjam, sought government intervention for the safe return of their kin.