Plight of Odia workers in Malaysia comes to fore

Plight of Odia labourers in Malaysia has come to the fore recently when 38-year-old Ramesh Rout returned home at Saura Sachhina village in Ganjam district with a back injury.
"I was injured when the contractor kicked me after I failed to lift around three tonnes of iron rods. I was admitted to a hospital in Malaysia and other Odia workers contributed for my treatment," Rout, who went to the South-east Asian nation with his brother around nine months ago, said today.
"The contractor allowed me to return home after the doctor advised me three months rest," he added.
Twelve Odia workers, including Rout's younger brother from Saura Sachhina and neighbouring villages are working in Malaysia in miserable conditions at meagre wages, he said.

Their parents have moved the administration to ensure their safe return. "We have written to the resident commissioner in New Delhi to approach the Malaysian government in this connection," Ganjam District Collector P C Chaudhary said today.
"A report was submitted to the government after the district labour officer (Chhatrapur) inquired into the complaints. We will conduct a fresh probe as one of the victims has returned," said Assistant Labour Officer (Berhampur) Nilambar Mishal.
On April 23, 2014, two locals took them to Chennai from where an organisation sent them to work at a construction site in Malaysia. Among them, three are persons from Angaragon, four from Tota, two from Saura Sachhina and one each from Gundurupalli, Nimina, Bhikapada and K Barida, sources said.