The Jharkhand government has initiated coordinated efforts to repatriate 13 migrant workers, primarily from tribal communities in East Singhbhum district, who are reportedly stranded in Gujarat's remote Kachchh district due to restrictions imposed by their private employer. The labourers, hailing from Matihana village in Baharagora block, had migrated to the arid region—known for its vast renewable energy projects like the Adani Green solar park in Khavda—to seek employment in construction and maintenance roles.
East Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Karn Satyarthi confirmed the workers' safety during a Tuesday briefing, stating that state officials have established direct contact and are negotiating with the company management and Gujarat authorities to secure their release and safe return. This intervention highlights the vulnerabilities faced by interstate migrants in India's booming green energy sector, where promises of steady wages often clash with harsh working conditions and labour disputes.
The crisis surfaced on Monday when former Baharagora MLA Kunal Sarangi highlighted the workers' ordeal on X, tagging Chief Minister Hemant Soren and alleging they were being denied food, subjected to withheld salaries, and physically barred from leaving the worksite. Relatives, fearing for their kin's well-being amid reports of gruelling hours in scorching heat, filed a formal complaint at Baharagora police station, prompting swift administrative action.
Soren immediately directed the district administration and the state's Migrant Control Cell—established in 2023 to safeguard outbound labourers—to prioritise the matter. Migrant Control Cell officer Shikha Lakra assured that discussions with the employer are underway to ensure pending dues are cleared and travel arrangements are made, potentially including escorted transport to Jharkhand. This echoes a similar rescue operation earlier this month in Andhra Pradesh, where 13 Bokaro workers were freed after being held over health-related exit requests, underscoring systemic issues in migrant oversight.
Kachchh, Gujarat's northwestern expanse bordering Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, has become a magnet for unskilled labour from eastern states like Jharkhand, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, drawn by the world's largest renewable energy park aiming for 30 GW capacity by 2030. However, recent exposés reveal a darker side: unpaid wages, inadequate facilities, and exploitative contracts that trap workers in debt bondage, as detailed in a September 2025 Guardian investigation.
Jharkhand, with over 20 lakh annual out-migrants per the 2023 Economic Survey, relies heavily on remittances—contributing 10% to its GDP—but lacks robust bilateral agreements with destination states for grievance redressal. The Labour Department's portal, Shramadhan, mandates pre-departure registration, yet enforcement remains patchy, leaving many vulnerable to middlemen and unverified recruiters.
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As negotiations progress, the state has mobilised its Gujarat liaison officer to liaise with local police, while a helpline (181) stands activated for similar cases. Sarangi urged public support, emphasising the workers' role in national development. This episode not only spotlights the human cost of India's 500 GW renewable push but also calls for enhanced interstate protocols, like the proposed Migrant Workers' Welfare Board. With the workers' return anticipated within days, Jharkhand reaffirms its commitment to protecting its diaspora, ensuring no one is left behind in the pursuit of progress.
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