Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has directed the Labor & ESI Administration to ensure safe return of 35 Odia workers reported to be held captive in Laos.
Labor & ESI Secretary R Santhanagopalan held discussion with senior officials of the Labor Directorate.
As per the direction of Chief Minister, the Labour Commissioner N Thirumala Naik has taken up the issue with Indian embassy at Laos.
The Embassy authorities have informed that they are in touch with the labourers and all necessary steps will be taken for their safe return to India.
At least 35 workers from Kendrapara district have been reportedly held captive by their employer in Attapeu province of Laos.
The matter came to light when the workers sent videos to their families narrating about their plight in the Southeast Asian country.
The workers, who have been kept captive in a wood processing unit at Attapeu, alleged that they are being tortured physically and mentally by their employer, it have been alleged.
