4 Workers From Odisha Stranded In Qatar; BJP Leader Baijayant Panda Writes To Indian Envoy For Their Safe Return

Bhubaneswar: Four workers from Odisha are reportedly stranded in Qatar after the company for which they were working allegedly threatened them and refused to release them from work even after expiry of their contract.

According to sources, the four workers from Rajnagar area of Kendrapada district had gone to Qatar in October 2021 with the help of an agent.

As per the contract, the workers were to serve three months’ notice before leaving the company. Accordingly, they resigned in August 2023 and planned to return home.

However, their family members alleged that the company authorities are threatening to implicate them in false cases and send them to jail. The company refused to release them and threatened to hand them over to the police.

Worried family members of the workers approached BJP national vice-president and former Kendrapada MP Baijayant Panda for help. They urged Panda to take necessary steps for the safe return of the stranded workers.

Following their request, Panda has written to the Indian ambassador in Qatar, requesting him to intervene for the safe return of the four workers. He also contacted the Indian envoy, discussed the issue and sought diplomatic intervention to get the labourers released and send them back to Odisha.