SUMAN K SHRIVASTAVA
Ranchi, Dec 12: The Jharkhand Government has lodged an FIR against Mumbai-based M/s Transrail Lighting Limited and five middlemen who fraudulently sent 47 workers from the State to work in Cameroon (Central Africa).
The five middlemen named in the FIR are Mannan (Mumbai), Akash, Satwik, Vijay Mahto and Mahesh.
The labour department swung into action after the direction of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who had received a complaint regarding the non-payment of wages to 47 migrant workers from Jharkhand, currently stranded in Cameroon.
According to a press communique, the process to ensure payment of wages to these Jharkhand workers stranded in Cameroon has also begun.
Following the chief minister’s orders, the Labour Commissioner filed FIRs against the responsible parties in Hazaribagh, Bokaro, and Giridih districts. The FIR highlights that the employers and middlemen sent these workers to Cameroon without registering them under the Inter-State Migrant Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979, and without obtaining the required license. This fraudulent and illegal act of sending workers abroad under false pretences has been strongly condemned.
What is the case?
The Chief Minister was informed a few days ago about complaints from Jharkhand workers employed in M/s Transrail Lighting Limited, Cameroon. These workers reported that their wages had been pending for three months and that they wished to return to India. Upon receiving this information, the chief minister directed the State Migrant Control Room to take swift action.
Salary payment process initiated
Following the Chief Minister’s orders, the State Migrant Control Room, under the guidance of the Labor Commissioner, contacted the workers and the employer company. The company revealed that they had paid the workers $100 per month and assured them that the remaining wages would be transferred to the workers’ Indian bank accounts. The workers have since confirmed receiving partial payments.
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Additionally, the State Migrant Control Room has instructed the company to provide copies of the workers’ contracts, salary details, and other necessary documents. The Labor Department has also sent letters to the Protector of Emigrants (POE), Ranchi, and other relevant departments, requesting appropriate action. The company has assured the authorities of resolving the outstanding wage payments by consulting the sub-contractor. The remaining amounts will be deposited into the workers’ Indian accounts.
Efforts for Safe Return
Efforts are ongoing to ensure the safe return of these workers. The High Commission and Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India have been informed about the situation. M/s Transrail is reportedly negotiating with the workers to resolve their repatriation, pending payments, and documentation issues.
According to the communique, the Control Room team continues to maintain communication with the workers and company officials through email and phone. It has been assured that, if the contractor fails to pay the salaries, the agreement with the company will be cancelled. All necessary steps are being taken to ensure the workers’ safe return to India.
