A breakthrough for 14 distressed workers from Jharkhand marooned in Dubai: NHRC has formally engaged the state government for a thorough report. Sparked by their viral distress calls online, the commission is prioritizing this human rights crisis.
Three months into their stint with EMC on UAE transmission projects, the men from Bokaro, Giridih, and Hazaribagh report systemic abuses—no paychecks, seized documents, and mandatory extra hours amid squalor. Videos of their plight flooded platforms, urging official intervention.
NHRC, seizing the narrative proactively, warns of egregious violations if claims hold. Directives target Jharkhand’s Chief Secretary and State Migrant Workers Control Room, demanding detailed updates within a fortnight.
Workers recount deductions crippling their earnings for tickets and basics, resulting in starvation risks. Repatriation remains their sole demand to Jharkhand leaders.
This unfolds against a backdrop of chronic issues plaguing Indian laborers in the Gulf—passport trafficking, unpaid dues, and near-slavery. India has orchestrated returns before, yet vulnerabilities persist.
Jharkhand, exporting thousands of such workers yearly, relies on its control room for oversight. This high-stakes matter could catalyze enhanced emigration protocols, protecting lives and livelihoods on global frontiers.