Odisha labourer repatriated from Malaysia recounts ordeal

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Chhatrapur, Feb 6:

As many as 12 labourers from Odisha’s Ganjam, Khalikote and Beguniapada blocks working in Malaysia are leading an incarcerated and miserable life, revealed 38-year-old Ramesh Rout who was repatriated from the south-east Asian country recently.

“I was told to do heavy work. When I failed to perform as per their expectations, I was subjected to physical torture as a result of which I sustained back injury,” Ramesh, a resident of Saura Sachhina under Beguniapada block, said.

“The labourers are being tortured and branded with a hot object. When one of the labourers was going slow on work, as he was suffering from fever, he was beaten up mercilessly,” Ramesh alleged.

He was almost left invalid owing to his injury and subsequently sent back to his hometown.

Meanwhile, the family members of Ramesh have approached the district administration for its intervention.

“We have asked the resident commissioner in New Delhi to take up the matter with the Malaysian government,” Ganjam District Collector Premchand Choudhury said.

“After conducting inquiry into the complaints of labourers’ torture in Malaysia, a report has been submitted to the state government by the district labour officer (Chhatrapur). Now, a fresh probe will be conducted as one of the victims has returned home,” Assistant Labour Officer (Brahmapur) Nilambar Mishal said.

It may be recalled that an Odisha labourer from Bhikapada village in Khallikote of Ganjam district had threatened to commit suicide if he was not rescued from inhuman treatment in the hands of his employer in Malaysia.