TIRUPUR: District administration officials rescued 19 women, who hailed from Odisha, from a garment unit at 15 Velampalayam in the city on Sunday.
The women, some as young as 18, were forced to work against their will at the unit, revenue department sources said.
“They are natives of Rayagada district in Odisha and had arrived at the unit last December for a three-month training programme. They did not get adequate remuneration from the company and after completing the programme, were forced to stay back. After the women sought help, their parents alerted authorities in Odisha, who contacted Tirupur city police commissioner G Karthikeyan on Saturday night. A team from the social welfare department, directorate of industrial safety and health, revenue department and Velampalayam police searched the unit on Sunday morning and rescued the women,” said a police officer.
The women were shifted to a marriage hall. They will be sent to Odisha by train on Monday. An inquiry has been initiated against the firm.