Odisha Workers Return from Thailand After Alleged Exploitation by Employers and Agents
Four workers from Kendrapada district in Odisha have returned from Thailand after more than five months of alleged exploitation, ending their dream of earning a better living abroad. The returnees have vowed never to go back, sharing harrowing accounts of unpaid wages, confiscated passports, and grueling work conditions.
Dream Turned Nightmare: The Journey to Thailand
In August 2025, six men—five from Kendrapada and one from Bhadrak—traveled to Thailand to work at a plywood company in Chon Buri. Each worker spent over Rs 2 lakh to secure these jobs through agents in India, with promises of a monthly salary of Rs 50,000. However, the reality was starkly different.
"We were told we had to work eight hours, but we were forced to work 12-14 hours daily. When we complained to our agents in India, nobody helped," said Hemant Kumar Behera of Katarabania village. "We even sold land and took loans to get a foreign job. But now everything is uncertain. The company owner even confiscated our passports," added Manoranjan Sahu of Kaudiapala.
Coordinated Rescue Efforts by Government Agencies
After the workers appealed to the state government through social media, coordinated rescue efforts were launched involving multiple agencies:
- The External Affairs Ministry
- The state government's Chief Resident Commissioner in New Delhi
- The Directorate of Odisha Parivar
- The Labour & ESIC Department
- The Kendrapada and Bhadrak district administrations
Following Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi's intervention, the state government collaborated with the External Affairs Ministry for the safe return of the four workers. "Four workers have now been repatriated; the others will return soon," said Kendrapada ADM Nabakrishna Jena, adding that the workers expressed gratitude for the timely help.
The Returnees' Stories of Deception and Struggle
The four returnees—Jayant Kumar Mallick, Hemant Kumar Behera, Manoranjan Sahu, and Vijay Kumar Swain—detailed their experiences of being cheated by both their employer and agents in India.
"We went to Thailand in August last year through an agent to work in a plywood unit for a promised monthly salary of Rs 50,000. But we were never paid properly," said Jayant of Nuagaon under Rajkanika block.
The workers alleged that the employer withheld their wages and subjected them to mental and physical torture, creating desperate conditions that forced them to seek help to return home.
Remaining Workers and Ongoing Efforts
Odisha Parivar officials revealed that the visas of the remaining two workers had lapsed, and work is underway to apply for fresh visas for them. "They will return soon," an official added, indicating that the rescue operation continues for all affected individuals.
Broader Context: Migration from Odisha's Riverside Villages
This incident highlights the broader issue of migration from several riverside villages in Pattamundai, Aul, Rajkanika, and Rajnagar blocks—often called 'villages of plumbers.' These areas have nearly 50,000 migrants working across India and abroad, sending crores in remittances every year.
The case underscores the vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers who seek better opportunities overseas, only to encounter exploitation and deception. It also demonstrates the importance of government intervention in protecting citizens abroad and ensuring their safe return when situations turn dire.
