This story is from May 9, 2020

Back home, workers narrate their plight

Back home, workers narrate their plight
KENDRAPADA: Large number of workers with homes in Kendrapada district and nearby areas returned from states like West Bengal, Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Kerala with their dreams shattered and a bagful of horror stories to tell.
Many left their workplaces with empty pockets and vowed never to return. Most of the returnees alleged that they were denied wages and food by their employers after the Centre announced lockdown.
“We had gone to Kerala to change our fate.
What will we tell our families now?” asked Biswaranjan Patra (29) of Bagapatia village, who returned on Monday. Biswaranjan was working in a plywood factory in Ernakulum district of Kerala.
Many workers have had to face a torrid time. Khirod Rout (57), a plumber from Ashrambalikuda village in Kendrapada district, cycled for 22 days from Surat to reach his village on Thursday and swore never to return.
“I was working as a plumber in a construction company in Surat for the last 10 years. The contractors stopped all work due to the lockdown and refused to pay our wages. We stayed in an under-construction apartment for 10 days. Having exhausted all my savings, I decided to cycle back to the village,” said Khirod who was earning around Rs 15,000 a month.
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA