Five skilled workers of Sundargarh district, who had gone to Syria to work there, after returning here after six months, have alleged that they were exploited, underpaid and forced to work extra hours in hazardous conditions.
They met the Assistant labour Commissioner on Wednesday and demanded justice.
R Vijay Kumar, Ranjan Kumar Nayak, Rajib Nayak, Jogeswar Kumar and Suresh Prajapati had gone to Hama in Syria in July 2016 to work in the General Company for Iron and Steel Products. These five youths were
sent to Syria by Sahu Enterprises at Basanti Colony here and Gurgaon-based Appollo International limited.
The youths alleged that after reaching Syria they were forced to work for 16 hours instead of eight and were not provided safety equipments. They were not paid the salary promised during their appointment.
When they demanded the promised salary they were reportedly tortured. They returned here on January 6, 2017.
These five workers led by Sundargarh Industrial Workers Union functionaries met Assistant labour Ghasiram Tudu and demanded strong action against Sahu Enterprises and Appolo International limited.
They have also demanded payment of their outstanding salaries.
Assistant labour Commissioner Tudu said “They have apprised me of their difficulties while working in Syria. I have asked them to come with the documents for action at our end.”