Seventeen workers from Odisha, including eight from Ganjam district, are allegedly stranded in Oman.
These workers over the phone have informed their families of their plight.
According to sources, the other nine workers were from Bhubaneswar and Balasore.
‘Being exploited’
The workers alleged that they were being exploited at their workplace in Muscat and had not received their wages for the past six months.
They were also not in a position to return to their homeland.
According to the Labour department sources, a private agency had sent the workers to Oman in January this year to work as welders and fitters.
No complaint yet
When contacted, Ganjam Assistant Labour Commissioner Diptiranjan Mohanty said that family members of these workers had not lodged any official complaint with the department.
“But our officials have made contact with some of these workers in Oman through video call,” he added.
On Thursday, Labour officials in Ganjam district tried to contact and take details from the families of these workers.
“After collecting and ascertaining details about these workers, we will inform the Labour Commissioner for necessary action through the External Affairs Ministry for their safe return,” said Mr. Mohanty.