NEW DELHI: Four of the six Odia workers, languishing in virtual captivity of their employers in Thailand, have been safely brought back to their place of nativity following prompt intervention by the Odisha Government.
The four returnees identified as Jayant Kumar Mallik, Hemant Kumar Behera, Manoranjan Sahu and Bijay Kumar Swain, natives of Kendrapara and Bhadrak districts arrived here by air to the Biju Patnaik International airport, said officials on Saturday (Feb 21).
It may be noted that six youths from Kendrapara and Bhadrak districts of Odisha had travelled to Thailand in August 2025 to work in a plywood company.
However, they later alleged that the company owner had not been paying their wages and that they were facing multiple difficulties.
Seeking help to return home, they appealed to the Odisha Government through social media platforms.
Later, coordinated efforts were initiated involving the Ministry of External Affairs; the Office of the Chief Resident Commissioner of Odisha in New Delhi; the Directorate of Odisha Parivar under the Department of Odia Language, Literature & Culture; the Labour & Employees’ State Insurance Department; and the district administrations of Kendrapara and Bhadrak.
As a result of these joint efforts, four stranded workers who were crying for help, have been brought back much to the cheers of their loved ones. Efforts are to bring back two others to Odisha shortly, added the officials
The stranded workers had gone unpaid for several months and were held captive by the employer without adequate food and water. - The Statesman/ANN
