Naveen Directs Officials To Ensure Safe Return Of Odia Labourers Held Captive In Laos

Bhubaneswar: Following a video appeal by 35 Odia workers, who were allegedly held captive by a private company in Laos, the Labour Commissioner of Odisha has taken up the matter with Indian embassy there.

The Labour Commissioner contacted the Indian embassy in Laos on the direction of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to the administration to ensure safe return of the workers. The Embassy authorities have informed that they were in touch with the labourers and will take all necessary steps for their safe return to India.

The labourers from Kendrapada district in a video message to the Central government recently had narrated their miserable condition and appealed for their rescue.

Belonging to Jaynagar panchayat under Rajkanika block of the district, they said they were working in a plywood company in Laos. But the company was closed about one and a half months back.

They alleged that the company neither paid their salaries for the last two months nor allowed them to return to India. It had also taken away their passports.

Stating that they were staying on the company premises without having any money and sufficient food, they sought the Centre’s intervention to bring them back to India.