Kendrapara/Bhubaneswar: Four migrant workers from Odisha's Kendrapara district, along with a worker from Uttar Pradesh, have appealed to the Odisha and Uttar Pradesh governments for urgent assistance, alleging that they have been stranded in Thailand without salaries, passports, or adequate food for the past several months.

The workers, hailing from Rajkanika and Aul blocks of Kendrapara district, claimed they are facing severe hardship while working at a plywood manufacturing company in Thailand's Kabin Buri district. Through video messages circulated online, they have sought immediate repatriation to India.

No wages for four months, no passports: workers narrate ordeal in Thailand

According to the workers, they were recruited and taken to Thailand on tourist visas more than a year ago. They alleged that their employer confiscated their passports and has not returned them despite repeated requests. The workers further claimed that they have not received salaries for the last four months and are struggling to survive due to a lack of food and financial resources.

The affected workers have been identified as Khirod Das of Gobanga village, Manoj Mallick of Poijharia village, Kailash Sethi of Nahuni village under Rajkanika block, and Nityananda Mallick of Padanipal village under Aul block. Another worker, Raj Kumar Pasi from Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur region, is also reportedly facing similar difficulties.

In their appeals, the workers alleged that the company owner threatens to hand them over to the police or even kill them if they refuse to work or demand their wages and passports. They further claimed that their visa validity has expired, making their situation more precarious.

One of the workers said he had been in Thailand for over two years and three months but was being prevented from returning home. "The company owner has taken away my passport. Whenever I ask for it, I am threatened with death or being handed over to the police. I have not received my salary for the last four months," he alleged.

Another worker from Kendrapara said he was brought to Thailand on a tourist visa for employment and that his passport had been withheld for nearly a year. "We are not getting proper food and have not been paid for four months. We appeal to the government to bring us back home," he said.

A worker from Aul block claimed that despite working continuously, he had not received wages for the past four months. "Whenever I ask for my salary, the contractor threatens to send me to jail. I have neither my passport nor money to return home," he alleged.

Raj Kumar Pasi from Uttar Pradesh also accused the company of withholding wages and subjecting workers to harassment. He appealed to the Uttar Pradesh government to facilitate his return to India.

The workers further alleged that Kailash Sethi has been suffering from health complications, including swelling in his limbs, but has not been provided medical treatment. 

One of the victims Manoj Mallick was denied permission to return home even after the death of a close family member.

"I have lost my mother. When I requested the company to go back to my home to attend my mother's funeral, I was told to go back in two days, but it has already been eight days, I am not allowed to leave the workplace. I have not been given payment for last four months. When I asked for passport, company demanded Rs 3 lakh for the return of his passport, the worker alleged. 

The distressed workers have urged both the Central and Odisha governments, as well as Indian diplomatic authorities, to intervene and ensure their safe return to India at the earliest.

No response from the company or Thai authorities was immediately available regarding the allegations.