Bhubaneswar: Taking prompt action following reports of 42 labourers from Odisha’s Ganjam district being trapped and exploited in Dubai, the Odisha Government has urged the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to take immediate step to rescue the labourers.

In a letter, the Odisha Home Department urged the Joint Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs and Protector of Emigrants (POE) to make immediate arrangements to bring the trapped labourers back to the State.

Besides, the Home Department has also urged Chief Resident Commissioner of Odisha Sunil Bhargav to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs and make arrangements for a short stay of the labourers’ at Odisha Sadan once they reach New Delhi. Bhargav has also been approached to ensure their hassle-free return to their home village.

The Home Department has also directed the State Labour and Employment Department Secretary to get in touch with the MEA, the Chief Resident Commissioner of Odisha in New Delhi as well as the Ganjam Collector to facilitate the task.

Worth mentioning,  42 labourers from Khallikote area of Ganjam district have allegedly been trapped and subjected to exploitation by an agent, who had hired them on pretext of providing them employment in in Dubai.

The incident came to light after the stranded labourers shared their ordeal through a video that has gone viral on social media.