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Odisha Govt Urges MEA to Rescue 6 Ill-Treated Migrant Workers in Thailand

The Odisha government has formally requested the Ministry of External Affairs to rescue and repatriate six migrant workers from the state who are reportedly being ill-treated and have not received salaries for three months in Thailand. The workers, who traveled through agents from Uttar Pradesh, appealed for help via social media, prompting official action. Detailed information including their passports has been provided to the MEA to facilitate urgent intervention. Biju Janata Dal President Naveen Patnaik has also expressed deep concern and urged both the MEA and the Odisha CMO to coordinate with Thai officials for their immediate rescue.

Key Points: Odisha Seeks MEA Help to Rescue Workers from Thailand

  • 6 Odisha workers unpaid for 3 months
  • Rescue request sent to MEA
  • Workers sought help via social media
  • BJD President urges urgent intervention
2 min read

Odisha Govt requests MEA to rescue ill-treated Odisha emigrants from Thailand

Odisha government requests MEA to urgently rescue and repatriate 6 migrant workers facing hardship and unpaid wages in Thailand.

"Deeply concerned to know that six people from #Odisha are being ill-treated by their employer in Thailand and are in deep distress. - Naveen Patnaik"

New Delhi, February 19

Principal Resident Commissioner of Odisha in Delhi, Vishal Gagan has written a letter to the Additional Secretary, Southern Division, Ministry of External Affairs, requesting rescue and safe repatriation of 6 emigrant workers from Odisha from Thailand to their native place, after they are reportedly being ill-treated by their employer.

The letter to the MEA Additional Secretary reads, "In inviting a reference to the subject cited above, it is intimated by Director, Odisha Paribar, Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department, Govt. of Odisha vide letter no.72/2026, dated 18.02.2026 that 06 emigrant workers from Odisha reportedly working in Plywood Company in Thailand are facing severe hardship as they have not been paid their salaries for the last 03 months."

"They went to Thailand through an agent, namely Om Prakash and Jai Prakash from Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh. The workers have urgently requested in social media for their rescue and safe repatriation from Thailand to their native place in Odisha.", the letter said.

The letter also detailed information about the workers, including their passports. That includes Jashobanta Sahoo from Kendrapara, Prasanta Rout from Kendrapara, Bijaya Kumar Swain from Kendrapara, Hemanata Behera from Kendrapara, Jayant Kumar Malik from Kendrapara, and Manaranjan Sahu from Bhadrak.

"In view of the serious nature of plight of the workers, it is requested that urgent action may please be initiated for disbursal of remuneration of emigrant workers as per their due entitlement and their urgent rescue and safe repatriation of 06 emigrant workers of Odisha from Thailand back to their native place in Odisha. An early action in the matter is kindly solicited.", the letter stated.

On the matter, the President of Biju Janata Dal Naveen Patnaik, also expressed concern about the workers and urged the MEA and the Chief Minister's Office of Odisha to intervene for their rescue at the earliest.

Taking it to his 'X' account, he said, "Deeply concerned to know that six people from #Odisha are being ill-treated by their employer in Thailand and are in deep distress. Urge Indian Government, Ministry of External Affairs (@MEAIndia) and @CMO_Odisha to intervene into the matter with urgency and coordinate with the officials of Thailand for their early rescue."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good to see the Odisha govt and Naveen Patnaik ji taking immediate notice. But we need a permanent solution. So many migrant workers get trapped by fraudulent agents. There should be a mandatory verification system for all overseas recruitment agencies.
D
David E
Respectfully, while the rescue is paramount, we must also ask why our citizens are so vulnerable. Lack of local job opportunities? Better awareness programs are needed before people travel for work. Hope they come home safe soon.
A
Ananya R
All six from Kendrapara and Bhadrak... my heart goes out to their families. Social media was their last hope and it worked. Thank God someone was listening. 🙏 Bring our Odia brothers back safely. The agent's name is out there – authorities must not let him go.
R
Rohit P
MEA should have a dedicated fast-track cell for such distress cases. Three months without salary is torture. Our embassies need more power to intervene directly in labour disputes abroad.
K
Kavya N
This is why we need stronger bilateral agreements with countries like Thailand on migrant worker protection. It's not just about rescue, but also about ensuring their dues are paid. Hope the Indian government takes this up at a diplomatic level too.

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