india

Updated: May 14, 2017 22:07 IST

A group of Indian workers have been “held captive” by a company in Saudi Arabia over salary-related disputes, prompting the Indian embassy in the gulf country to make efforts for their repatriation.

The embassy intervened in the matter after Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik sought help from external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and the Prime Minister’s Office.

According to reports, 24 Indian workers have been allegedly held captive by a Saudi company. Of the 24, twelve labourers are from Odisha, 8 from Andhra Pradesh and 4 from Tamil Nadu.

“Deeply concerned about Odia workers held captive in Saudi Arabia; Request @SushmaSwaraj ji @PMOIndia to intervene for their safe return (sic),” Patnaik said in a tweet.

@Naveen_Odisha @SushmaSwaraj @PMOIndia Embassy cognizant of it; vigorously pursuing with the Company n agents towards their repatriation; hope to send them soon @ajxtopcop — India in SaudiArabia (@IndianEmbRiyadh) May 10, 2017

In response to the tweet, the Indian embassy said, “Embassy cognizant of it; vigorously pursuing with the Company n agents towards their repatriation; hope to send them soon (sic).”

Swaraj instructed the Indian envoy in Saudi Arabia to keep the chief minister informed about the steps being taken by the embassy.