The cry for help from 14 Jharkhand laborers trapped in Dubai has resonated powerfully, leading the National Human Rights Commission to seek an urgent report from the state administration. Their story exploded after videos surfaced on social media, detailing exploitation and desperation abroad.
Originating from Bokaro, Giridih, and Hazaribagh, these men ventured to the UAE three months back for jobs with EMC on transmission projects. What followed was a nightmare: no salaries for months, passports held hostage, and grueling overtime without compensation. Basic survival became a struggle, forcing them to appeal publicly to central and state governments.
Acting on media reports, NHRC registered the matter suo motu, terming it a possible severe breach of human rights. Notices went out to key Jharkhand officials, including the Chief Secretary and Migrant Workers Control Room chief, with a strict two-week deadline for facts and action plans.
A stranded worker revealed the company’s ruthless deductions for travel and lodging costs, leaving them penniless and hungry. The group’s unified call is for immediate rescue and return home.
This episode revives debates on the plight of Indian expatriates in the Gulf, where recruitment scams and employer abuses have repeatedly surfaced. Governments have previously airlifted workers back in similar crises.
Jharkhand’s high outbound migration rate makes this particularly pressing. The state’s migrant control mechanism faces a critical test, potentially influencing policies to shield vulnerable workers venturing overseas for better prospects.