'Condition of Indian workers in Angola grim'

The condition of over 1,200 Indian workers held 'hostage' by a company in Angola was grim and the government should take immediate measures to expedite their release, a Gujarati worker, who was among those stranded in the African country, said today on his return.

Talking to newsmen, Vijay Valmiki said, "The situation is grim for about 1,200 protesting workers. They had to take shelter in the forest to escape from police wrath, local administration and company management ever since they began their agitation in support of their demand".

All of them were promised wages in American dollars, while they were paid in local currency, after which the agitation started. They have been taken hostage for protesting against the factory management, he said.
   
"The police had resorted to heavy firing, nearly 300 rounds were fired to scare them," Valmiki claimed.

"We were not injured in the firing because we took shelter in the forest while one youth who was injured in the firing was kept in a hostel and not taken to the hospital," Valmiki said.

They had tolerated the atrocities with dreams of a better future for their families, said Vijay, who had left for Angola to work in the electrical division of a cement factory.

Valmiki said, "Officials of the cement company, located near Sumbe city of the African country, have taken away the passports of all the 1,200 workers, putting them in a piquant situation."

Valmiki was carrying a list of the Indian workers whose passports were taken away by the company officials. He managed to return to Vadodara based on an Immigration Certificate.

"The Centre is not doing much on the issue, while the lives of 1,200 Indians are in danger in Angola," he said.