Odisha Workers Allegedly Held Captive and Tortured in Thai Plywood Factory
In a distressing case of alleged labour exploitation, six workers from Kendrapada district in Odisha have reportedly been held captive by their employer in a plywood factory located in Chon Buri, eastern Thailand, for several months. The shocking situation came to light when the stranded workers sent a video clip from Thailand to their anxious parents on Tuesday, detailing allegations of severe physical and mental torture.
Workers' Harrowing Accounts of Captivity and Abuse
According to the workers' testimonies, they had traveled to Thailand in August 2025 through a labour contractor who promised them lucrative job opportunities with substantial salaries. Initially employed at the plywood factory, they managed to send money back home to their families in India. However, their circumstances took a drastic turn for the worse approximately three months ago.
"Instead of the agreed 8-hour work shift, we are being forced to toil for 12 to 14 hours daily without receiving any salary," stated Prasant Rout, a 28-year-old from Upalei village, who is among the workers trapped in Thailand. "We are provided with only one meal per day and face physical beatings if we dare to request more food." Rout further revealed that their passports have been confiscated by the factory owner, effectively stripping them of their freedom and legal documentation.
In the emotional video message, Jayant Mallick, a 29-year-old from Nuagaon village, expressed the group's desperation. "Our families are deeply worried back home. We urgently appeal to the government to arrange a flight for our safe return to India. All our savings have been exhausted, and surviving each day has become an unbearable ordeal," he lamented.
Families Appeal for Rescue and Government Intervention
Upon receiving the alarming video, the workers' parents immediately approached officials from the labour department and other authorities on Tuesday, pleading for urgent intervention to rescue their children. The families disclosed that each worker had paid approximately Rs 2 lakh as transportation costs to the agents, who had guaranteed them a monthly salary of Rs 50,000.
When contacted regarding the matter, Ananta Padmanava Mahamansingh, the divisional labour officer of Kendrapada, confirmed that action is being taken. "We have formally notified the state labour department to initiate appropriate measures to assist these workers in returning safely to their villages," he stated. Mahamansingh also highlighted a broader issue, noting, "This is a deceptive tactic frequently employed by unscrupulous agents to entice young individuals with false promises of high earnings abroad. We have previously issued warnings to job-seekers to remain vigilant against fraudulent advertisements in newspapers offering overseas employment."
Broader Implications and Calls for Awareness
This incident underscores the persistent risks faced by migrant workers who seek employment opportunities in foreign countries through unofficial channels. The alleged captivity and abuse of the Odisha workers in Thailand raise serious concerns about labour rights violations and the need for stricter regulations to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
As authorities work to facilitate the workers' repatriation, this case serves as a stark reminder for aspiring migrant labourers to verify the credibility of recruitment agents and thoroughly research potential employers before committing to overseas jobs. The ongoing efforts by the labour department aim to not only rescue the affected individuals but also prevent similar tragedies in the future through increased public awareness and enforcement of labour laws.
