Telangana workers lured to Europe, stranded in harsh conditions

The Story in Brief

Nearly 40% of complaints received by the Pravasi Mithra Labour Union now come from Europe and Russia, marking a shift from the Gulf that traditionally accounted for most distress calls. Workers from Telangana are being lured by agents with promises of high-paying jobs, only to end up stranded on tourist or Schengen visas, working 12-14 hours in packaging firms or garbage segregation for low wages. Many live 12 to a room and are rarely allowed outside, with one worker in Moscow saying he has not been paid Rs 80,000 in wages and cannot afford to return. A 40-year-old who returned from Russia this month said he earned 30% less than promised and was made to live with 30 others in one room. Even deaths create paperwork nightmares, as missing post-mortem reports prevent insurance claims, the union reports.