Governor Biswa Bhushan Harichandan immediately responded to his plea for help, with 23 Odisha migrant workers, most of whom are women, being finally freed from the “clutches of a labor contractor” and sent to their places of origin.
About 400 activists had come into the state through some intermediaries and joined Sandhya Marine, an aqua unit in Palakol.
A labor contractor, Srinivas, who provides the workforce to the company, is allegedly harassing the workers and forcibly collecting money from them.
The activists, with the help of a leader from Odisha, approached the Governor at Raj Bhavan in Vijayawada on Thursday, conveying their vanity to us and asking for their immediate help.
Mr. Harichandan responded to her plea by the Superintendent of Police, West Godavari. Narayan Naik was instructed to look into the issue.
The workers later met Mr. Narayan Naik in Eluru, who arranged a vehicle for him to reach Palakol. Shri Narayan Naik also visited Palakol and interacted with all the activists and inquired about the allegations.
“All the natives, laborers of Odisha’s Kendrapada district came to Palakol a few months ago and joined the aqua unit. The company is paying them processing 400 to ₹ 500 per head for shrimp processing. Sri Srinivas is allegedly collecting money given to him by the force, ”Mr. Narayan Naik has said.
Sri Narayana Naik and Narasapuram DSP p. Veeranjanya Reddy interacted with the workers as well as the company, and also inquired about the facilities being provided by the management.
“Based on the complaint, we have registered a case against the contractor at Palakol Town Police Station. Twenty-three activists, mostly women, have stated that they want to return to their ancestral villages. We have arranged for transport and sent them on Friday. Anjaneyulu said.
“The company has been directed to constitute the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) and to arrange for a complaint box in the unit premises. From 1 lakh cash collected from the laborers has been recovered and handed over to the workers. Strict action will be taken against those who harass migrant laborers.
“The company management has treated us well and paid the wages promptly as per the agreement. But the contractor has troubled us. We thank the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the authorities for responding to our problems and sending us back.
Shri Narayan Naik directed the representatives of the company to follow labor laws and regulations, provide proper accommodation, drinking water, toilets and medical facilities to the workers.
The migrant women thanked the Governor, SP, DSP and other officials for helping them return to their places of origin.
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