Overview
- The group from Jharkhand’s Giridih, Bokaro and Hazaribagh districts sent a video appeal seeking immediate return and alleging months of unpaid wages and lack of money for food.
- Workers say they were misled about job terms, made to work over 12 hours daily, threatened when they objected and blocked from leaving by the employer named as Prem Power Constructions.
- Jharkhand’s Labour department, through its Migrant Control Cell, has established contact via the Indian embassy in Tunisia and is verifying documents to facilitate their return.
- Chief Minister Hemant Soren directed the deputy commissioners of the three districts to ensure the workers’ safe return, according to officials.
- Social activist Sikandar Ali publicized the plea and urged intervention by the Centre and the Ministry of External Affairs; reports list 19 workers from Hazaribagh, 14 from Giridih and 15 from Bokaro.