No salary to Indians in Nigeria: NRI panel issues notices

CHANDIGARH,Febrauary10,2012: Punjab NRI commission has issued notices to the Union government, Punjab government and Nigeria-based Delta Steel Company's chairman P K Mittal in connection with a case related to alleged non-payment of salary to 118 Indian expatriates over past one year.The commission has asked them to submit their affidavits by March 21. The full bench of NRI Commission comprising chairperson Justice (retd) Arvind Kumar, members V K Bhawra and Jagtar Singh issued notice on a complaint by Supreeti Rajvanshi. She alleged that her father Naveen Kumar Rajvanshi and 117 other persons had been employed by Global Steel Holding in India and posted to work in Delta Steel Company located in Warri in Nigeria in 2005.The complaint is annexed with another made by the said 117 India expatriate staff. According to the complaint, these employees have been living in pitiable conditions and hardly get any food, water and electricity."There is no provision of medical facilities for such employees and it is not possible for them to return to India in absence of payment of their salary and other dues. They have been kept as bonded labour by the company and there is serious danger to their life and liberty," alleged the complainants.The commission, prima-facie found that apart from the disputes of the employees with the company in respect of non-payments of their salary or wages, there is utter violation of the legal as also human rights of such employees."On receipt of a complaint of the present nature, containing serious allegations, the commission cannot remain as a mute spectator, particularly, when the issue is of public importance and despite having represented the authorities concerned, there is no redressal to the grievances of complainants. Still further, the manner in which the employees, who are none else but Indian citizens... are being dealt with by an Indian Company abroad, is most unfortunate and requires to be seriously dealt with," observed the commission.
"Matter solved" Meanwhile, a senior official of the company claimed that the matter has been resolved and payment had been made to employees concerned, including Naveen Kumar Rajvanshi, father of the complainant.A copy of the cheque amount over Rs 13 lakh reportedly paid to Rajvanshi has also been sent as a proof. "The employees will be leaving to India from Warri (Nigeria) on Thursday," he claimed.