Unpaid Odia labourers in Bengaluru seek help

Bengaluru: Some Odia labourers engaged in construction work by a private company in Bengaluru are now moving from pillar to post seeking justice as they have been deprived of wages for the last eight months.

The labourers, working for Prathyusha Infra in Chandapur area near Bengaluru, have alleged that the local branch of the company has not paid them and its office has remained shut for last two months. Over 30 labourers from Balugaon, Tangi, Kesinga, Kendrapada, and Berhampur from Odisha are working in the project.

"We have not received our wages for last eight months and the owner of the company has been giving false assurances to us. When we went to meet him on May 20, three ladies prevented us," said a labourer.

Alleging that the local police is yet to register case against the company basing on their complaint, the labourers have sought Karnataka government's intervention in the matter. They said that since the company has  been awarded a contract by the State's Housing Board Authority, it is now the responsibility of the government to look into their genuine grievances.

Asked about the matter, the Deputy project manager of Prathyusha Infra, Prabhakar, said,"The company officials are saying that government is yet to release the funds for which the payment has been delayed. But we are not aware when the payment will be done."