At least 48 migrant workers from Jharkhand are reportedly stranded in Tunisia, facing harsh conditions and being forced to work without pay. The workers claim that they were promised proper contracts and fair wages before their departure.
They were allegedly employed in the North African nation through a Delhi-based private firm, according to a report by Hindustan Times.
However, upon reaching Tunisia, they were forced to work for over 12 hours a day without pay and threatened with imprisonment if they attempted to protest or return to India.
According to reports, they have not been paid wages for the past three to six months, leaving them without money for food or communication with their families.
In video messages shared with Indian authorities and social activists, the workers said they were “starving" and “desperately waiting to return home", according to a report by News18.
As per reports, the employer, identified as Prem Power Construction Private Limited, has been accused of misleading the workers about their employment terms and refusing to release their pending wages.
According to PTI, the Jharkhand Labour department has managed to establish contact with the migrant workers through the Indian embassy and is verifying their documents.
Team leader of Migrant Control Cell (under Jharkhand Labour department), Shikha Lakra told PTI that following the directive of the Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren they have managed to establish contact with the migrant workers and are also in touch with the Indian embassy in Tunisia.
"We spoke to the migrant workers allegedly stranded by a private firm in Tunisia and are verifying their documents. We are also in touch with the Indian Embassy officials in Tunisia for arranging their safe return to their native places," said Lakra.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren, on Friday afternoon, on his official X handle, taking cognisance of the plight of the migrant workers, directed the deputy commissioners of three district - Bokaro, Hazaribagh and Giridih - to ensure safe return of the workers.
Of the 48 workers stranded in Tunisia, 19 workers are from Hazaribagh district, 14 from Giridih district and 15 from Bokaro district.
(With inputs from PTI)
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