A man from Muzaffarpur, Bihar, has returned home after spending four months stranded in Senegal, where he alleged that his promised salary was reduced and wages were withheld.
Umashankar Kumar travelled to Dakar on May 17 after being offered a job paying Rs 60,000 a month.
He said that after arriving, the promised salary was reduced to Rs 30,000, while his passport and visa were withheld. He also alleged that he worked around 12 hours a day and was not paid for three to four months.
According to Umashankar, his situation worsened as he struggled financially and was pressured to continue working despite being unwell. He eventually approached the Indian Embassy for help.
He said the embassy summoned the company owner last Wednesday, and discussions continued for around four hours.
Following the intervention, his passport was returned and arrangements were made for his journey back to India.
“I had given up hope of returning to India,” Umashankar said, describing his return as an overwhelming moment.
He also thanked Union Minister and Muzaffarpur MP Rajbhushan Chaudhary and Tourism Minister Kedar Prasad Gupta for their role in helping him return.
The experience has changed his plans. Umashankar said he no longer wants to work abroad and plans to find employment in India, including labour work.
