Archive · 9 Nov 2025
Jharkhand Workers Rescued from Tunisia After Company Withheld Wages
Imagine 48 people from India went to Tunisia to work, hoping to earn money to support their families.
But the company they worked for stopped paying them for almost three months and didn't give them enough food.
The workers felt very sad and scared.
They made videos asking for help.
Their leader in India saw the videos and told people to help them come home.
With help from the governments of both Tunisia and India, the workers' money problems were sorted out, and they got tickets to fly back.
When they got home, they were very happy to be back with their families, but some said they might have to go to other cities in India or even abroad again because it's hard to find steady work back home.
48 migrant workers from Jharkhand, stranded in Tunisia, have been safely repatriated.
The workers were left unpaid and without food for nearly three months by a private company.
Jharkhand's Chief Minister intervened after seeing distress videos shared by the workers.
The rescue effort involved coordination between the Jharkhand government and Tunisian authorities.
Workers expressed gratitude but noted the necessity of migrating again due to lack of local job opportunities.
- Who
- 48 migrant workers from Jharkhand, India
- What
- Rescued and brought back home after being stranded and unpaid in Tunisia
- When
- Returned home on Saturday (following the report date)
- Where
- Tunisia to Jharkhand, India
- Why
- Workers were stranded for nearly three months due to a private company allegedly stopping their wages and withholding food.
Worker's Perspective
Contractor/Company System
Reason for Migration
Worker's Perspective
Workers migrate due to lack of steady job opportunities and financial pressures in India, needing to support families and educate children.
Contractor/Company System
Workers are recruited through contractors who promise good wages and deals, often leading to exploitation when contracts and payments are not honored.
Contract Clarity
Worker's Perspective
Workers felt misled, with contracts not being provided in writing until arrival in Tunisia, and promises of good wages not fulfilled.
Contractor/Company System
The system involves sub-contracts where the main firm may not take direct responsibility, and promises are made by intermediaries.
- Number of Workers Rescued
- 48
- Stranded Location
- Tunisia
- Home Districts in Jharkhand
- Hazaribagh, Giridih, Bokaro
- Duration Stranded
- Nearly three months
- Reason for Stranding
- Company allegedly stopped wages and withheld food
- Government Intervention
- Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren directed officials; coordination with Tunisian Government