Dadan workers from Orissa allegedly tortured in Mumbai

Baripada, May 27 (UNI) Migrant labourers from Amanigaon village in the tribal dominated Mayurbhanj district were allegedly exploited and tortured in Dadra near Mumbai city by their employer.

The incident came to light when four migrant workers managed to escape and filed a complaint before the District Labour Officer here on Wednesday. The four youths appealed to the DLO to ensure the release of their remaining nine colleagues, who were allegedly being tortured and even beaten up.

The tribal youths, recruited by another tribal youth of Betnoti area, were handed over to a''Dadan'' (bonded labourers contractor of Balugaon, who in turn sent them to Mumbai for jobs.

The DLO, when contacted, admitted that the 'dadan' contractor from Balugaon was neither registered nor licenced to make recruitments of migrant workers from Mayurbhanj district. It is a mandatory provision of the ''Inter-state Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Services) Act, 1979'' and hence recruitments made by the contractor from this district were unauthorised and illegal, the DLO said.

Meanwhile, Dakhin Murmu, who worked as a mediator for the Dadan contractor, has assured that he would contact the Dadan contractor - Kuna Barik of Balugaon and ensure the safe return of the remaining nine Dadan workers.

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