Odisha: 16 labourers lured by middlemen stranded in Dubai, cry for help

BHUBANESWAR: As many as 16 labourers from Ganjam district who had gone to eke out a living in Dubai after allegedly being lured by middlemen have been reportedly going through exploitation and torture by their employers there.

The matter came to the fore after the stranded workers expressed their plight through a video message.

As per reports, the labourers from Tentulia, Kaithada, Bakutugaon and Langaleswar from Khalikote block in Ganjam district had gone to Dubai 10 months ago to work in a company.

As per their allegations, two labour contractors from Langaleswar and Bakuti village took lakhs of rupees from them with the promise that they will get the opportunity to work in a very good company in Dubai. Subsequently, the middlemen reportedly sent them to Dubai on tourist visas.

However, after working in the company for some days, their employer allegedly started exploiting and torturing them. Instead of getting their salary every month, the labourers are getting their one month payment after 3-4 months. Even they are provided with very low quality food.

Though the labourers are trying desperately to return home, the company authorities are allegedly not allowing them to return.

The family members of the stranded labourers have lodged complaints in this regard at Bhejipur police station.

“Sarada Pradhan and Akshaya Pradhan from nearby villages promised us that we will be engaged in a very good company in Dubai. We gave them Rs 1.10 lakh to come to Dubai and work in the company. However, we are working under contractors here. We have not got our salary for the last three months. We are provided very low quality food. We want to return home, but they are not allowing us. We request the administration for help,” the stranded labourers said in the video message.