14 Workers From Odisha Held Captive In South Africa; Seek Govt Step For Safe Return

Bhubaneswar: At least 14 labourers from Odisha’s Kendrapada district have been allegedly held captive in a plywood company in South Africa. The stranded workers are allegedly being tortured by the company officials.

Their plight came to light after some of the workers requested the Odisha government to take steps to rescue them.

According to reports, 14 people from Rajkanika block of Kendrapada district were engaged in a plywood company at Gabon. They have alleged that the owner of the company has not paid salaries for the last four months, while other employees tortured them.

Claiming that the company officials are not allowed them to return to India, the workers said they are being held captive on the company premises like prisoners. The workers are also denied food, medicine and other basic necessities, they claimed.

Narrating their ordeal through a video message, the stranded workers said their family members are also in trouble as they are unable to send money.

Stating that they are kept in a forest area, the workers said they are made to spend sleepless night in the absence of basic facilities. They urged the Odisha government to take necessary steps to rescue them and enable them to return to the state.