Bhubaneswar: Migrant workers from Odisha who are working in Bangladesh and have since been stranded in the country, will soon be brought back to the state, Labour and Employees State Insurance Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia informed here Monday. According to rough estimates, more than 5,000 Odias are currently stranded in the violence-hit neighbouring country.
Atrocities against minority communities, especially Hindus have been on the rise since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government and Odisha is concerned about its natives stranded there, the minister informed. “The Odisha government is concerned about the situation in Bangladesh,” Singh Khuntia told reporters. “The chief minister has called a meeting to discuss this issue and it will be held soon. We will plan a roadmap to bring back the stranded workers,” the minister added.
Singh Khuntia informed that district labour officials have been asked to prepare a list of Odias currently working in Bangladesh. “Once the database is prepared we will start the process of bringing them back as per the instructions of the CM,” Singh Khuntia stated. The minister also stated that there may be cases where Odia workers may have migrated to Bangladesh without informing the district officials. In that case, discussions will be held with Bangladesh authorities so that they can also be brought back, the minister added. Singh Khuntia stated that since most of the Odia labourers are Hindus, it is imperative that they be brought back for their safety. “We have come to know that many of them are interested in coming back to Odisha and do not want to continue with their jobs in Bangladesh,” the minister stated. He added the repatriation process is expected to start within the next 15-20 days. It should be stated that many temples were ransacked and Hindus were attacked after the fall of the Hasina government. Even though the violence has subsided, there is still cause for worry.