VIJAY DEO JHA
Ranchi, Feb. 5: A group of seven labourers trapped in Mali’s capital district Bamako in West Africa safely returned to Jharkhand on Saturday afternoon. As they landed at the Birsa Munda airport they became emotional and thanked chief minister Hemant Soren, labour minister Satyanand Bhokta for saving their life.
“We would have died at a foreign land had not the government saved us,” said Santosh Mahto who is among seven who lost hope to see his family again. Santosh Mahto was accompanied by other labourers namely Dilip Kumar, Chhedilal Mahto, Lalmani Mahto, Indradev Thakur, Loknath Mahto and Indradeo Prasad. They are the natives of Hazaribagh and Giridih.
The chief minister is personally monitoring their return and the second group of labourers is expected to leave Mali on Sunday. A total of 33 labourers from Jharkhand were trapped in Mali after the contractor snatched their passports and also withheld their payment for three months. They were working as a fitter at Kalpataru Power Transmission Limited from 2021. The contractor after snatching their passport returned to India. The matter came into light after Sikandar Ali, rights activist of Giridih raised the issue. In the meantime, these labourers using social media platforms requested the chief minister to rescue them. Taking cognizance of the matter, the chief minister ordered the State Migrant Control Room to ensure their safe return.
The State Migrant Control Room contacted the country head and manager of the company and made them aware of the problems of the workers and asked them to make proper arrangements for their food and pay their salaries. The Indian embassy in Mali was contacted and informed about the matter. As the chief minister was personally monitoring the case, the Indian embassy summoned representatives of the company, contractor, and workers for negotiation. The company agreed to release their payment and they were further warned against confiscating the passport of any labourers.
