Happy Homecoming For Odisha Workers Stranded In Dubai

The ten Odia migrant workers who were being held captive by their employers in Dubai are back home.

Quoting media reports, ANI said the labourers were forced to work under trying conditions for excessive hours. The matter came to light after a few workers took to social media to share their plight.

Prabhat Kumar Mahapatra, one of the rescued workers, said, “We had bought a ticket for Rs 80,000 each to go to Dubai on July 1 last year to work in a company. However, it got  shut within three months and we had no money as we were not paid in those three months.”

The worker further alleged that the agent stopped answering his phone.

“We finally shot a video and it became viral. I am very thankful to Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan that he reached out for help and we came back to India,” he further said.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday thanked his Cabinet colleague, S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister, for his intervention in bringing back the workers, reported ANI.

Pradhan, who hails from Odisha, in a tweet, said, “Met my Odia brothers on their safe return to India. I took the matter with Ministry of External Affairs after videos of their ordeal in Dubai had surfaced on social media. Thank EAM Dr S Jaishankar and Consulate General of India, Dubai for their sincere efforts in repatriating them back home & ensuring their well-being.”

Pradhan had requested Jaishankar soon after he took over office, to personally intervene for the release and repatriation of the 10 workers.