(a) whether the Government has received complaints from any State Government that job seekers
are allegedly being held hostage in different parts of the country; and
(b) if so, the action taken by the Government for the safety, security and return arrangements
of the labourers therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI MANIKRAO H. GAVIT)
(a): In August, 2007, the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment received a reference from
the Government of Chhattisgarh regarding illegal detention of 75 labourers from Chhattisgarh
in Badgaon district of Jammu & Kashmir with a request for issuing suitable directions to the
Government of Jammu & Kashmir to ensure safety and safe return of the labourers.
(b) The matter was taken up by the Ministry of Labour and Employment with the Government of
Jammu & Kashmir. The State Government reported that there was no evidence of bondedness in
respect of the said labourers in Badgaon.