Jharkhand Migrant Workers Return Safely from Cameroon
Eleven stranded Jharkhand workers in Cameroon were safely repatriated through coordinated efforts by the Indian government, with 36 others to return soon.
New Delhi: Eleven migrant workers from Jharkhand, who were stranded in Cameroon due to unpaid wages and exploitation, have been safely repatriated to India. This significant achievement was made possible by the collaborative efforts of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the Jharkhand state government.
The workers, part of a group of 47 laborers from Jharkhand, had endured harsh conditions after their employer withheld salaries. Their safe return was facilitated after local authorities intervened upon receiving appeals from the workers and their families. The remaining 36 workers are expected to return by January 2025.
Among the repatriated individuals are Revatalal Mahto from Hazaribagh, Khidhar Mahto from Bokaro, and Mukesh Mahto from Giridih. Upon arriving at Ranchi's Birsa Munda Airport, they expressed relief and gratitude towards both the central and state governments for their swift action.
These workers were initially sent to Cameroon by a Mumbai-based firm that failed to comply with the Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979. The violations included the absence of proper worker registration and necessary licensing. This negligence resulted in severe hardships for the workers abroad.
The Jharkhand State Labor Commission has lodged an FIR against the firm for withholding salaries and flouting legal obligations. The state’s migrant worker control cell played a key role in securing a settlement of INR 39.77 lakh in unpaid wages for the laborers.
Additionally, the Indian High Commission in Cameroon is providing ongoing assistance to the remaining workers until their safe return. This case highlights the need for stricter regulations and vigilance to protect the rights and welfare of migrant laborers in foreign countries.
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