Odisha govt urges Centre to bring back workers stranded in Thailand

Kendrapada: Odisha govt on Thursday wrote to the Centre, urging immediate intervention for the safe return of six workers from Kendrapada district stranded in Thailand.TOI had on Thursday reported the plight of the workers of whom five are from Kendrapara, while one is from Bhadrak. In a letter to the ministry, the assistant labour commissioner, M M Paik said the six labourers travelled to Thailand six months ago through two UP-based labour agents, Omprakash and Jayprakash, to work at a plywood industry at Wat Nong Phai Kaeo. Thereafter, all men were held captive in a plywood factor.In a video message, they have alleged that they were being physically and mentally tortured by their employer and had not received their salaries for three months. After learning about their condition, the district administration informed the assistant labour commissioner, Bhubaneswar, and shared detailed information, including their passport copies, to facilitate urgent action. “Subsequently, Odisha’s principal resident commissioner in New Delhi, Vishal Gagan, wrote to the additional secretary of the ministry of external affairs on Thursday seeking their rescue,” said Kendrapada ADM Nabakrishna Jena.Former chief minister Naveen Patnaik has also expressed concern over the situation.In a post on X, he wrote: “Deeply concerned to know that six people from Odisha are being ill-treated by their employer in Thailand and are in deep distress. Urge the Indian Govt, Ministry of External Affairs and Chief Minister Office to intervene into the matter with urgency and coordinate with the officials of Thailand for their early rescue.”Family members of the stranded workers said they have been spending sleepless nights since learning of the workers’ ordeal.“My husband Yasobant Sahoo (34) is one of the stranded workers. His desperate appeal in the video leaves my heart stricken with fear. We are praying for his safety,” said Minati, sitting with her three children and mother-in-law at their home in Kujipur village under Jayanagar panchayat.Another woman from Upalei village under Baradia panchayat said: “My husband, Prasant Rout (33), is struggling to return as the company seized his passport. We are all worried. The govt should immediately arrange air tickets and other help for their safe return.”Trade union leader Jagajiban Das said unemployment has pushed many youths from the coastal district to travel abroad for work as plumbers, mechanics, drivers and other jobs. “Each year, at least 2,000 youths from the district go to West Asia and South Asian countries. Many face problems from employers and labour agents,” he said.On Wednesday, the Principal Resident Commissioner also wrote to the Ministry over the issue.With inputs from Diana Sahu