MEA vows to save youth stuck in Thailand as bonded labourer

Mariammal had sent her two sons, Manidurai (23) and Manikandan (21), to Thailand on January 21 this year after an agent promised them employment in a textile firm. Although she reportedly paid the agent Rs 2.70 lakh for the same, the brothers found themselves made to work forcefully in a hotel as bonded labourers.

Mariammal, who managed to rescue Manikandan by paying Rs 50,000 to the hotel, then approached the Tirupur District Collector’s office on Tuesday seeking help to rescue Manidurai also.

The district officials then forwarded the petition to the Indian High Commission. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who came to know of the incident, later assured help in bringing Manidurai back to Tirupur. “Thiru Manithurai is being rendered all help and guidance by our Embassy@IndianThailand to facilitate his exit from Thailand. We are also keeping his family in Tirupur updated of the situation,” he said in a tweet.

Meanwhile Mariammal said that she received information that her son has been rescued. “I am yet to talk to my son. I was told that it may cost Rs 50,000 in flight charges to bring him back. But I can’t afford to pay such a huge amount. The Centre and State government should bring him back safely by taking care of the expenses. Action should also be initiated against the agent for cheating us,” she told media.