33 Indian labourers held ‘hostage’ by Somalian company; High Commission steps in to resolve crisis

The Indian High Commission in Kenya has mentioned that it’s in contact with the Somalian authorities to rescue 33 Indian labourers who’re allegedly been saved hostage by an organization in Mogadishu.

It additionally mentioned that it was attempting to offer the required help to the labourers.

“This mission is in constant touch with Somalian government for immediate rescue of 33 Indian labourers from Mogadishu, Somalia. We are in touch with the labourers also for getting them the assistance needed, at the earliest. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Somalia has assured that arrangements will be made for these people to visit India soon,” the Commission tweeted in Hindi on Wednesday in reply to a tweet by activist Rajesh Mani.

Rajesh Mani of Manav Seva Sansthan mentioned 33 Indian labourers, together with 25 employees from Uttar Pradesh, have been held hostage by an organization in Somalia for the final eight months. He mentioned the matter got here to his information after a labourer from Kushinagar district contacted him.

The activist mentioned he took to Twitter to contact the Indian High fee in Kenya to hunt assist. “I contacted the Indian High Commission in Kenya and the external affairs ministry through Twitter and e-mail. They gave assurance of helping the labourers,” he mentioned.

Mani mentioned out of the 33 labourers held hostage, 21 belong to Gorakhpur division. Six of the labourers are from Bihar and one every from Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, he mentioned.

According to the activist, the labourers had joined the corporate 10 months in the past. In the primary two months, the corporate handled them properly, however from the final eight months, the employees weren’t paid their salaries, he mentioned.

“On Tuesday, one Sugreev Kushwaha of Kushinagar contacted me through WhatsApp, and told me that 33 Indian labourers were living in difficult conditions as the company at Mogadishu in Somalia, where they were working, had made them hostage in the factory campus. He said they have not been paid from the last eight months. He also sent me a video clip showing their condition,” Mani mentioned.

“When the labourers demanded their salary, the company made them hostage inside the factory campus, took their passports and threatened to shoot them. They have also not been given food, water and medicines since the last 15 days. The labourers have been confined to their rooms and kept hungry and thirsty. The company is treating them like bonded labourers,” he added.