Chatrapur: After the deaths of Khalikote-based bonded labourers came to light, 13 families of Chatrapur in Ganjam district complained to the district administration that another 13 bonded labourers were trapped in Dubai. They said their relatives are facing both physical and mental torture.
Sources said Santosh Behera, 31, of Khalikot had gone to Dubai as a labourer September 11, 2011. He had given Rs 58,000 to an agent to get his visa and ticket. He was doing tiling in Dubai. But he said the company had been torturing him with irregular payment of salaries.
After the Indian embassy’s intervention, the company had assured Santosh that they would return his passport and give his pending salaries. But nothing was done by the company. Finding no option, Santosh is working at an ATM loading and unloading company in Dubai.
Santosh’s father Hajaribag Behera has urged the Labour Department to make arrangements for his son’s return. The Rural Inspector of the Labour Department has collected data about Santosh and has submitted it at the Labour office in Chatarpur.
In another case, 18 labourers from Ganjam had gone to Dubai through agent Kartik. Kartik had assured them that they will get Rs 35,000 salary per month with housing allowance. Kartik charged Rs 60,000 each from the labourers. But there they tortured and not paid salaries.
Their families had complained at the Chatrapur Labour Department office regarding this. On the basis of the complaint six labourers returned from Dubai with the help of the department. But another 12 labourers are still trapped in Dubai.
The families of the labourers have urged the district administration and the Labour Department to rescue their dear ones.
PNN