A group of Indian workers, predominantly from Odisha, find themselves stranded in the freezing cold of Yangiyul, Uzbekistan, after their construction company allegedly terminated their services without clearing pending salaries for the last four months. The desperate labourers have been on a strike, or 'dharna', for the past 15 days, braving sub-zero temperatures to demand their rightful dues.
Stranded in the Cold: A Desperate Protest for Unpaid Wages
According to Jayaram Sahu, a fitter from Khallingi in Ganjam district's Sanakhemundi block, the company has not paid salaries since October of the previous year. Around 70 to 80 people from various districts of Odisha, including 10-15 from Ganjam, are employed as fitters, plumbers, welders, and general construction workers. "When we demanded our salaries, they terminated us and asked us to go back to India," Sahu stated via a video call on Wednesday.
He highlighted the grim conditions of their protest, saying they are sitting on dharna in temperatures plunging to -3 to -4 degrees Celsius. The workers have been sending video messages pleading for government intervention to ensure their rescue and the clearance of their payments. Back home, anxious parents are deeply worried about their sons' plight and have appealed to authorities for their safe return.
Scale of the Crisis: Hundreds of Indian Workers Affected
The problem appears to be more extensive. Reports suggest that over 500 workers from Indian states like Odisha, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh are working at six different locations of the same company in Uzbekistan and are allegedly stranded in similar circumstances. This indicates a potential large-scale labour rights issue involving the overseas contractor.
Proactive Steps from District Labour Office
Even though no family members had formally approached the authorities, the Berhampur District Labour Office (DLO) took a proactive step. Subhalaxmi Behera, the District Labour Officer, stated that after learning about the workers' plight from social media, they contacted one of the stranded labourers from Ganjam.
"We asked him to provide their Aadhaar details and contact numbers. We will write to the government to take necessary steps for their safe return," Behera assured. This move is crucial in initiating official channels for rescue and negotiation.
A Call for Urgent Government Intervention
The situation underscores the vulnerabilities faced by Indian migrant workers in foreign countries, especially when contractual agreements break down. The workers' primary demands are clear: payment of their pending four months' salary and safe repatriation to India. As the strike continues in the harsh Uzbek winter, the urgency for diplomatic and administrative intervention from Indian authorities intensifies to resolve this humanitarian and labour crisis.
