Odisha migrant workers going unpaid in Tamil Nadu, says Surya Patro

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jan 29: 

In a rather embarrassing acceptance of poor implementation of the much touted welfare schemes of Odisha Government, senior ruling party leader Surya Narayan Patro today confirmed that as many as 42 migrant workers from three villages of Ganjam district, who are working in a Tamil Nadu based cement factory, are being harassed.

They have not received due payments since past few months from their employer, said Digapahandi MLA and BJD Vice President Patro and requested the state Labour Secretary to look into the issue.

He further added that the labour contractor threatens the workers to register false case against them whenever they ask for payment.

According to Patro, the migrant labourers belong to Bhramarapur, Narayanpur and Gopinathpur villages under Digapahandi block in the district. They have been working in a cement factory at Teriyklam in Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu.

The issue came to fore after some of the labourers called home seeking help. Their parents, subsequently, got in touch with the MLA.

In a sigh of relief to the workers, District Labour Officer Siba Naryan Sahu said that Assistant Labour Commissioner K Satapathy is already in loop with the cement factory executives and the issue is likely to be sorted out soon.