Migrant workers from Odisha, working at a brick-kiln in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram, have reportedly been tortured by their employer. The Orissa Port reported that 12 workers from Odisha’s Sundargarh district were lured in by middlemen to travel to Vizianagaram on the pretext of getting work for good wages, in September. However, employed at the brick-kiln, the men were allegedly forced to work in inhumane conditions without food.
When the workers asked the kiln owner for their unpaid wages, he allegedly threw acid on one worker and chopped off another’s finger. Since the incident, the men continued to work without any pay, fearing for their lives.
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According to the Orissa Post’s report, five workers including the acid-attack victim managed to escape Vizianagaram and reach their village. These five workers have been admitted to Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Burla. Speaking to Orissa Post, the acid-attack victim’s son said, “We were working at a brick kiln in Vizianagaram. The owner got angry and threw acid on my father.”
Another worker who was among the five who escaped, added, “When we asked for the rest amount, the owner refused. He also threw acid on one of our co-workers and cut another’s finger.” The Orissa Post cited that the remaining seven workers are still trapped in Vizianagram.
Their family members have, however, approached the Superintendent of Police and District Collector of Vizianagram to help rescue the men.