Ranchi- Eight migrant workers from Jharkhand have been rescued from an exploitative situation at a pineapple farm in Mudakkala village, Attingal municipality, Kerala.

The intervention came after Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha (JJM) highlighted their plight, leading to swift action from the Jharkhand Labour Department and other authorities.

The workers, hailing from Latehar, Gumla, and Palamu districts, had travelled to Kerala with the promise of weekly wages. However, the farm owner withheld their dues, amounting to Rs 61,000, and restricted their movement, refusing to let them return home. Among the eight workers, two were women, all of whom faced severe hardships during their employment.

Jaheena Khatoon from Sons village in Palamu district recounted their ordeal. "The employer had agreed to give weekly payments to us, and we have been working very hard. Despite our best efforts, the farm owner did not pay us. When we approached him for our dues, he insisted that we must stay for six months and refused to release our wages. Our food supplies have run out, and we are left without money, struggling to survive," she said.

Khatoon further described the owner's aggressive behavior when they demanded their rightful payment. "He fought with us when we asked for our wages. We are not here to fight; we just demand our hard-earned money," she added.

Other workers include Poonam Kumari from Aantikheta village , Andeep Urao, Maheshwar Urao, Kuleshwar Urao and Tuntun from Bhusoor, Latehar, Omprakash Lohra (Gumla) and Devendra Prasad from Haratu in Latehar.

Intervention and Resolution

The situation came to light when the Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha shared a video of the workers, prompting the Jharkhand Labour Department to intervene. The state's migrant control room took swift action, coordinating with relevant authorities to resolve the issue.

The case was settled through coordination between the Jharkhand Labour Department's Migrant Cell, the Assistant Labour Officer (ALO) of Attingal, and the Centre for Migration and Inclusive Development (CMID Trust). Their collective efforts ensured the safe return of all eight workers to Jharkhand.

The workers' ordeal highlights the ongoing challenges faced by migrant laborers in India. Despite laws and regulations aimed at protecting their rights, many still fall prey to exploitation and abuse. This incident underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring and swift intervention to safeguard the interests of migrant workers.