Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra has alleged that 23 migrant workers from West Bengal have been illegally detained by their employers in Odisha, sparking concerns over migrant labour rights and inter-state coordination. The senior parliamentarian raised the issue on Tuesday, accusing authorities of inaction despite repeated appeals by the workers’ families.
Details of the allegation
According to Moitra, the workers belong to districts of Nadia, Murshidabad, and Malda, and had migrated to Odisha over the last year for work in construction and road projects. The TMC MP stated:
“These labourers have been confined illegally by their employers in Odisha’s Ganjam and Khordha districts. Their families reached out to me after failing to get any help from local police.”
Moitra has written to the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Labour Minister Becharam Manna, urging them to coordinate with Odisha authorities for their immediate release.
Timeline of events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 2025 | Workers migrated to Odisha for contractual construction jobs. |
| April-May 2025 | Families lost contact with them; co-workers alleged illegal confinement over wage disputes. |
| June 2025 | Families approached local MLAs and lodged missing complaints. |
| July 8, 2025 | Mahua Moitra tweets about the detention, tags Odisha CM and Labour Minister. |
Workers’ condition as per families
The families have alleged that the workers:
- Are not allowed to return home despite completing contractual terms.
- Have been denied due wages for the last two months.
- Are forced to work under threat and intimidation by contractors.
One relative from Nadia said:
“They call us secretly, crying for help. The contractor beats them if they refuse extra work or ask for wages.”
Political reactions
The allegations have triggered a political storm in West Bengal and Odisha:
- Trinamool Congress (TMC): Demanded immediate intervention from the Odisha government.
- Odisha Labour Department: Officials said they are verifying details and will conduct site inspections within 48 hours.
- BJP West Bengal: Accused TMC of politicising the issue, stating that cross-border migrant labour issues are administrative, not political.
Odisha government’s initial response
Odisha Labour Commissioner Manoj Mishra stated:
“We have received complaints about confinement of migrant workers. Our Ganjam and Khordha district officers are verifying locations. If illegal detention is confirmed, strict action will follow.”
He emphasised that the Odisha government maintains labour helplines and has rescued several stranded migrant workers in recent years.
Migrant labour vulnerability in India
| State of origin | Top destination states | Key sectors | Common issues faced |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Bengal | Odisha, Kerala, Karnataka, Delhi | Construction, manufacturing, hospitality | Wage withholding, lack of legal aid, confinement threats |
| Bihar | Punjab, Haryana, Delhi | Agriculture, construction | Delayed payments, poor living conditions |
| Jharkhand | Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu | Mining, construction | Occupational safety issues, bonded labour risks |
Legal framework
Experts note that such confinement violates:
- Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979: Mandates contractors to ensure wages, shelter, and freedom of movement.
- Bonded Labour Abolition Act, 1976: Criminalises bonded or forced labour under threat.
- Indian Penal Code Sections 340-344: Deals with wrongful confinement.
Voices from activists
Human rights lawyer Suparna Das said:
“Every year thousands of poor migrant workers are trapped under exploitative contracts. State governments rarely coordinate to rescue them proactively.”
She added that West Bengal and Odisha must implement stronger inter-state migrant welfare protocols and inspection systems.
Past similar incidents
| Year | State(s) involved | Workers affected | Nature of issue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Odisha & Jharkhand | 52 brick kiln workers | Illegal confinement, wage denial |
| 2023 | Karnataka & Bihar | 38 construction workers | Confined in makeshift camps over wage disputes |
| 2022 | Kerala & West Bengal | 45 migrant workers | Forced overtime without pay |
TMC’s outreach to Centre
Mahua Moitra has also tagged Union Labour Minister Bhupender Yadav, urging his intervention for release and rehabilitation of the affected workers. She argued that the Centre must treat migrant worker safety as a national priority.
Proposed political visit
Sources close to Moitra indicated that a TMC delegation may visit Odisha if the issue is not resolved within this week. The party plans to raise the matter in Parliament’s upcoming monsoon session.
Odisha opposition’s stance
The Congress party in Odisha demanded immediate legal action against employers violating migrant worker rights. State Congress president Sarat Pattanayak said:
“Both the state government and Centre must end such bonded labour practices. Workers are not slaves.”
What families want
The workers’ families have urged:
- Safe release and transportation back to West Bengal.
- Payment of all pending dues before return.
- Strict legal action against guilty employers to deter future incidents.
Way forward
Labour experts recommend:
- Joint task forces between origin and destination states.
- Registration of migrant workers on e-Shram and state portals.
- Mandatory regular inspections of worksites employing inter-state migrants.
- Legal aid clinics and rapid grievance redressal teams in districts with high migrant populations.
Conclusion
Mahua Moitra’s serious allegations have once again exposed the dark realities of India’s migrant workforce, where poor contractual labourers remain vulnerable to exploitation, detention, and bonded practices. The coming days will determine whether swift administrative and legal intervention secures justice for the 23 workers and sets an example for better enforcement of migrant labour rights across India.
Disclaimer
This article is based on statements from Mahua Moitra, Odisha Labour Department officials, legal experts, and families of the affected workers. Final confirmation of facts will depend on the official investigation reports from Odisha state authorities in the coming days. Readers are advised to follow government releases for updates on rescue and legal action outcomes.
