MEA steps in to help labourers in Malaysia

The repatriation process has begun on the intervention of the Ministry of External Affairs,which was told about their plight by Gorakhpur Range IG Sandeep Salunke. Salunke told The Indian Express,“I have received a letter from the MEA confirming that three youths —Ajai Kumar Yadav and Jitendra Prasad of Deoria and Rishikesh Gond of Gorakhpur — are safe at the Indian embassy in Kuala Lumpur. We expect their repatriation within a week.”

About 60 youths from various districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh are working as forced labourers in Malaysia,Salunke added.

The repatriation of the trio has been delayed because their passports are allegedly with an agent,identified as Pawan Raj in Chimmi town in Selengore state. The youths were reportedly sent to Malaysia on tourist visas by Pawan Raj’s brother in Chennai,who assured them of employment with good salaries.

The IG sent a letter to the MEA on March 18 after getting a complaint from Jitendra’s uncle Rudal Prasad,who said his nephew was detained in Malaysia along with other youths. He said they were forced to work as labourers and had not been paid for the past three months. He said that one Lauhar Prasad of Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur promised Jitendra a good job. Jitendra paid Lauhar Prasad Rs 80,000 and was taken to Chennai,from where he was sent to Malaysia. The IG said a hunt was on for Lauhar Prasad. A case would be registered against him after the youths returned and their statements were recorded.

Jitendra said over the phone that the trio escaped from the timber yard by scaling a 12 ft high boundary wall,and reached the Indian embassy on March 22. “The embassy officials provided us shelter,but the process of our repatriation has got delayed as our passports are with Pawan Raj,” he said.

Ajai said,“Initially,we were paid an amount equivalent to Rs 6,000 per month. We were forced to work without any off day or leave,and were not allowed to go out. Our job was to carry logs on our backs from the forest to godowns.”

“Pawan Raj,who collected our passports,told us we had been sold. He threatened us with dire consequences if we tried to escape,” Jitendra said.