PARADIP: The officials of Labour Department along with police raided Sarala Brick Factory at Bhutmundai in Paradip and rescued two women labourers on Tuesday. About eight labourers hailing from Nuamunda under Deogarh district were working in the factory owned by Sudhir Mohapatra and Manmohan Mohapatra. Differences cropped up between the owner and workers over non-payment of wages, harassment, torture and poor facilities following which they refused to work.
The brick kiln owners, however,insisted that the labourers continue to work. On April 9, six labourers went to their native place in Deogarh and informed Labour Department about their plight. The labour officials of Deogarh contacted District Labour Officer, Jagatsinghpur asking them to rescue the two women from workplace. After receiving the complaint, District Labour Officer Bighnajit Mohapatra directed Rural Inspector Lirika Ray to inspect the facory. Mohapatra said, the two women, Baijaynti Beshra and Sonali Sidhu, were rescued after an inquiry. Meanwhile, the team has been recovered `19,000 from the owners towards labour charge. Notice has been served on the unit owner.