The first batch is expected to fly out early next week.

A group of 18 Indian workers, who alleged they have been stranded in their Sajja labour accommodation without pay for four months, will be repatriated in a three-phase manner in the coming weeks, said senior officers at the Consulate-General of India in Dubai. The first batch is expected to fly out early next week.

Jitendra Singh Negi, the consul for labour, consular and Madad helpline, confirmed to Khaleej Times that the men will be repatriated in three batches. "The consulate has met the workers as well as the owner of the company. The owner has been compliant, and the first batch of six workers are expected to fly out next week," said Negi.

The workers, who hail from the Ganjam district of Orissa, have also received support from the Odisha Samaj in the UAE.

Amiya Mishra, president of the Odisha Samaj, confirmed to Khaleej Times that all workers came to the UAE through proper channels, that is, through the e-migrate system.

He explained: "In cases like this, there is always a confusion as you cannot blame employers 100 per cent. The workers claim that they have not been paid salaries, and the employer is saying that the men are not compliant."

He added: "In this particular case, it looks like they were not satisfied with the working conditions. Earlier, all 18 were supposed to be repatriated at one shot.

However, now they will be sent in batches and we have been told that the owner is working to cancel their visas. They just want to return home."

Indian minister intervenes

According to reports in the Indian media, Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Minister of Steel Dharmendra Pradhan had sought Dr S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, help to repatriate these particular group of workers.

He had requested Jaishankar to facilitate their early repatriation to India. An ANI report said Pradhan urged the foreign minister to look into the matter personally and facilitate speedy intervention.

Similarly, last month, Pradhan had written to Jaishankar seeking his intervention in the release and repatriation of 10 people from Odisha, who were allegedly held captive by their employers Dubai.

Workers unhappy

According to some of the workers, they were cheated by a local agent who sent them to Dubai by taking Rs60,000 (approx. Dh3,200) each and made them work there.

Tuna Malik, one of the workers, said: "We were promised a salary of Rs35,000 per month (approx. Dh1,800), but did not get a single penny even after nine months. When we refused to work further, we were suspended by the company and left stranded."

The Odisha Samaj and the Consulate-General of India in the UAE has provided them with food and medical support.

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com