Date: 2026-02-23Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported Indian workers held in captivity by their employer without salary and proper food in an area near Bangkok, Thailand for the last six months
On February 23, 2026, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India took suo motu cognizance of a media report regarding Indian workers from the Kendrapara district of Odisha being held captive by their employer in an area near Bangkok, Thailand for the last six months. The incident came to light on February 17, 2026, after victims recorded a video message alleging physical and mental torture, passport seizure, and unpaid wages. They are reportedly forced to work 12 hours a day in a plywood factory without salary and proper food since August of the previous year. The NHRC has sought comments from the Ministry of External Affairs within a week to determine what assistance can be rendered to the families of the victims. The media report was carried on February 19, 2026. The Release ID is 2231718. The visitor counter is at 277.
Key Entities Referenced
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): Took suo motu cognizance of the situation.
Ministry of External Affairs: Comments were sought from the ministry for assistance to the victims' families.
Bangkok, Thailand: Location where the Indian workers were held captive.
Odisha: District of origin of the workers.
National Human Rights Commission
NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the
reported Indian workers held in captivity by their
employer without salary and proper food in an
area near Bangkok, Thailand for the last six
months
Workers from the Kendrapara district of Odisha in a reported
video message alleged physical and mental torture, passport
seizure and unpaid wages
The Commission has sought comments from the Ministry of
External Affairs within a week on whether it could render any
assistance to the families of the victims
Posted On: 23 FEB 2026 2:31PM by PIB Delhi
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report
that at least six persons from Kendrapara district of Odisha have been held captive by their employer for
the last six months in an area near Bangkok in Thailand. Reportedly, the incident came to light on 17th
February 2026 when the victims recorded a video describing their plight. They are being confined inside
the factory and being subjected to physical as well as mental torture by their employer.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of human
rights violation of the victims. Therefore, it has sought the comments of the Ministry of External Affairs
on whether they could render any assistance to the families of the victims. The response is expected within
a week.
According to the media report, carried on 19th February 2026, the victims had gone to Thailand in the
month of August last year through a labour contractor, who had promised them a good job with a
handsome salary. However, they were forced to work for 12 hours a day in a plywood factory without any
salary and proper food. Reportedly, their employer has also confiscated their passports. They have
appealed to the government agencies in India to facilitate their return.
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NSK
(Release ID: 2231718) Visitor Counter : 277
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