Indian workers allege harassment on march to Washington

Nearly 100 Indian workers, who alleged slave-like treatment in a Mississippi shipyard, said they were ‘harassed’ by US Immigration authorities during their march from New Orleans to Washington.

Nearly 100 Indian workers, who alleged slave-like treatment in a Mississippi shipyard, said they were ‘harassed’ by US Immigration authorities during their march from New Orleans to Washington DC forcing a one-day delay in their meeting with the Indian Ambassador.

The workers said their arrival in Washington DC and meeting with the Indian Ambassador Ronen Sen has been postponed by a day as they were ‘harassed’ by Immigration authorities along their 1,500 km march.

“Our schedule has changed somewhat due to harassment and surveillance from immigration authorities on the way to Washington DC,” Media Coordinator for the New Orleans Workers Center for Racial Justice Stephen Boykevich said.

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The Indian workers had walked off the Signal International plant in Pascagula in Mississippi on March 6 alleging slave-like treatment.

The Indian Ambassador to the US Ronen Sen had cancelled some of his prior appointments outside Washington DC to meet the Indian workers.

“We are in North Carolina and will be in Washington tomorrow night,” a member of the protesters Sabulal Vijayan said.

The NGO groups and their officials representing the 100 Indian workers have said that a class action law suit has been filed in New Orleans focusing on anti-racketeering against Signal International, the American and Indian recruiters.