Bhubaneswar: Over 40 youths, lured to Maldives with promises of lucrative jobs in a private company, have pleaded for help for their safe return to Odisha.
In the video message on Monday, the workers, including 15 from Khallikote in Ganjam, alleged that the company, Renaatus, has not paid their salaries for two months and is forcing them to survive under dire conditions in a labour camp.
According to the stranded workers, one Kishore Barik of Banapur had facilitated migration of 45 youths from Odisha to Maldives about five months back with an assurance to engage them in a company with good salary, food and accommodation facilities. They had paid Rs 40,000 each to him for flight expenses. “Despite working for four to five months, we received full salary only the first month. The company paid half the salary in the next two months. The company also threatens us if we protest against them,” an Odia youth told a local channel.
Each of the workers, depending on his skills, was assured a salary of Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 a month.
He said that the sarpanch of his village had suggested them to upload a video, narrating their ordeal, on social media. The sarpanch also assured them that he would register a complaint with the labour commission office in a day or two.
Meanwhile, Protector of Emigrants (PoE) under Ministry of External Affairs has responded to the video and said its Bhubaneswar office is in constant touch with the Labour and ESI departments, Odisha, and the authorities concerned in Maldives. “Efforts are being made to bring all the workers back to their native places at the earliest,” it said.
The PoE also appealed to people not to fall prey to lucrative job offers in foreign countries.
