Stranded migrant workers at the Kolkata airport on their arrival, along with Sikandar Ali (Right end).
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Eleven migrant workers from three districts of Jharkhand — Giridih, Hazaribagh and Bokaro — stranded in Dubai allegedly due to unpaid wages returned to their native places on Thursday (February 13, 2026). However, three wished to stay back.
Social activist Sikandar Ali, who works for the welfare of migrant workers, was present at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, to receive them on February 11.
From Kolkata they returned to their respective districts on February 12 while travelling by train. The workers expressed their gratitude to the State Government, the Central Government, the media, and Mr. Ali for their safe return.
Those who returned from Dubai include Rajesh Mahato and Ajay Kumar Mahato from Giridih, Daleshwar Mahato from Bokaro and Jageshwar Mahato, Baijnath Mahato, Dilip Mahato, Gangadhar Mahato, Triloki Mahato, Deepak Kumar, Rohit Mahato and Seva Mahato from Hazaribagh.
Roshan Kumar and Ajay Kumar of Giridih district and Falendra Mahato from Hazaribagh chose to stay back.
All the workers are employed by EMC Electromechanical Co. LLC in Dubai and are engaged in transmission line work. Following the salary issue, they had reportedly stopped working.
Shikha Lakra, head of the State Migrant Workers Control Room under the Labour Department, said, “We contacted Ministry of External Affairs and the Consulate General of India in Dubai. Through Consulate, company representative were called in Consulate office and everything was discussed as per the agreement.”
She further said, “As per the agreement, the workers were supposed to serve a three-month notice period but the company agreed on one month. In the second clause it was mentioned that their contract was for the period of two years. Company paid the visa charges, which were nearly 5000 dirhams per worker and also bear the expenses of transportation to Abu Dhabi. However, the workers had to pay the expenses of an air ticket to India.”
The workers were also called at the labour department office in Dubai and finally, they reached the agreement that for those who want to go back, the company will pay the visa charges and those who want to stay will continue working there on the same agreement. Through a connecting flight from Bengaluru, they arrived at Kolkata airport.
They all went to Dubai in the first week of October 2025. A Hazaribagh-based agent, Ghanshyam Mahato, who had earlier worked in the same company for 16 years, had facilitated the recruitment.
According to Ms. Lakra, it was the fastest return of the migrant worker, which was completed in less than two weeks. Earlier the workers had complained that they were forced to work overtime and were facing problems with regard to accommodation and food as well.
The stranded workers had sent a video on February 2 to Mr. Ali, who later shared that video on social media, appealing to the Jharkhand Government to extend help for their return, as their passports were seized by the company.
While speaking to The Hindu over the phone, Ajay Kumar Mahato said had they had better earning opportunities available in their own state, they would not need to go to other places.
Mr. Ali said, “The Jharkhand and Central governments have actively facilitated the return of all workers. Many such incidents occur, which are extremely painful. Despite their reluctance, people are forced to leave their homes to earn a livelihood. The government needs to take concrete steps in this direction.”
Published – February 13, 2026 11:59 pm IST
