Odisha migrant workers allege sexual harassment, rescued

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhawanipatna, Mar 8:

Odisha’s Kalahandi Labour Department officials, Police and the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of Karnataka have rescued as many as 48 migrant workers including many women and children from Karnataka’s Raichur district.

The labourers, originally from Kalahandi district, were rescued from Karnataka after the female labourers alleged sexual harassment there and sought help of the district administration.

A joint raid conducted by Kalahandi Police, Labour Department and Karnataka’s Anti Human Trafficking unit officials in coordination with Karnataka Government freed the workers and brought them back home.

As per information provided by a senior district administration official, the labourers have reached their native Maliguda village under Junagada block of Kalahandi district. District administration is taking necessary steps to rehabilitate them.

A local contractor had sent the labourers from Maliguda village under Junagada block of Kalahandi about two years ago promising better income. Their living conditions and safety, however, were not taken care of, the official added.

Notably, the Labour Department officials of Bolangir district with the help of Tamil Nadu Police recently rescued as many as 126 migrant labourers including children and women. The workers reached their native village yesterday as we reported here.