67 Indian workers return from Libya after harassment by employer

As many as 67 of 116 Indian workers who had complained in May to the Indian Embassy in Libya about harassment by their employer have been repatriated to India in coordination with the Libyan authorities and the employer.

Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi told the Lok Sabha in a written reply to a question that the Indian Embassy was making efforts for the return of the remaining 46 workers.

He said formalities for exit visas of 22 workers from the Libyan authorities had already been completed and the process of collecting the passports of 22 workers from the Libyan authorities was on

Mr Ravi said the return tickets for the workers were being arranged by the recruiting agency and they were expected to leave for India shortly.

He said his Ministry and the Indian Embassy in Libya were constantly monitoring the situation.

The workers had complained to the Embassy in May that they were not being provided food and paid their dues by their employer. The Government had immediately taken up the matter with the Libyan authorities as well as the Indian recruitment agen.

Mr Ravi said Indian Embassy officials had visited the project site, about 1200 km from Tripoli, five times to resolve the problems of the workers and provide them financial assistance for food, fuel, water and medicines.

NNN