Daijiworld Media Network – Muzaffarpur

Muzaffarpur, Sep 23: A man from Bihar’s Muzaffarpur has returned home after spending four months stranded in Senegal, where he alleged that he was made to work for lower wages than promised and was not paid for several months.

Umashankar Kumar travelled to Dakar, the capital of Senegal, on May 17 after being promised a job with a monthly salary of Rs 60,000. However, he alleged that after arriving, his salary was reduced to Rs 30,000 and that he was not paid for three to four months.

Speaking to Aaj Tak, Umashankar described his return as an overwhelming moment. “I am very, very happy. Can’t believe I am home again,” he said.

Umashankar said he had been facing financial difficulties while meeting expenses related to his daughter’s wedding when an acquaintance informed him about a job opportunity in Senegal.

He reached Dakar on May 17 and said he started working at a company’s hatchery two days later. According to him, the promised salary of Rs 60,000 was reduced to Rs 30,000 after he arrived.

He also alleged that his passport and visa were withheld and that he was made to work for around 12 hours a day.

“There was a lot of trouble. The salary went from Rs 60,000 to Rs 30,000, and even that was not paid for three-four months. They were making me work for 12 hours,” he said.

Umashankar further alleged that he was pressured to continue working despite being unwell and eventually struggled to afford food.

As his situation worsened, he approached Indian authorities for assistance. He said the Indian Embassy intervened and summoned the company owner last Wednesday, with the matter being discussed for around four hours.

Following the intervention, Umashankar said his passport was returned and arrangements were made for his journey back to India.

“I had given up hope of returning to India,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to Union Minister and Muzaffarpur MP Rajbhushan Chaudhary and Tourism Minister Kedar Prasad Gupta for their assistance in facilitating his return.
“Thanks to their initiative, I have been able to return to my homeland, to my soil,” he said.

The experience has also changed his plans for the future. After spending four months in Senegal, Umashankar said he no longer wants to seek employment abroad and plans to work as a labourer or take up another job in India.

“I don’t want to go abroad again,” he said.