Protesting Indian workers to meet Ambassador in Washington
Nearly 100 Indian workers in a Mississippi shipyard will meet Ambassador Ronen Sen to demand concrete steps to end abuses in the H2B guest worker visa programme.
By PTI |
WASHINGTON: Nearly 100 Indian workers, who arrived here today after marching 1,500kms from New Orleans to protest "slave-like treatment" in a Mississippi shipyard, will meet Ambassador Ronen Sen to demand concrete steps to end abuses in the H2B guest worker visa programme.
The workers, who quit the Signal International plant in Mississippi on March 6 revolting against "mistreatment" by their employer, said they will also hold a public meeting to describe their plight.
"We made this satyagraha to Washington, DC, to put an end to this system of modern-day slavery," said Sabulal Vijayan, a former Signal worker and member of the Alliance of Guestworkers for Dignity.
Yesterday the protesting workers said they were "harassed" by US Immigration authorities during their 1,500 km march that forced a one-day delay in their meeting with the Indian Ambassador.
"We were brave enough to break a major trafficking racket. We marched beyond secret surveillance by immigration. Now we will demand Ambassador Sen help initiate high-level talks between the US and Indian governments to protect future workers from our fate," he added in a press statement issued by the organisers of the 'March and the Meet'.
The NGO groups and their officials representing the 100 Indian workers have said that a class action law suit has been filed in New Orleans focusing on anti-racketeering against Signal International, the American and Indian recruiters.
The workers, who quit the Signal International plant in Mississippi on March 6 revolting against "mistreatment" by their employer, said they will also hold a public meeting to describe their plight.
"We made this satyagraha to Washington, DC, to put an end to this system of modern-day slavery," said Sabulal Vijayan, a former Signal worker and member of the Alliance of Guestworkers for Dignity.
Yesterday the protesting workers said they were "harassed" by US Immigration authorities during their 1,500 km march that forced a one-day delay in their meeting with the Indian Ambassador.
"We were brave enough to break a major trafficking racket. We marched beyond secret surveillance by immigration. Now we will demand Ambassador Sen help initiate high-level talks between the US and Indian governments to protect future workers from our fate," he added in a press statement issued by the organisers of the 'March and the Meet'.
The NGO groups and their officials representing the 100 Indian workers have said that a class action law suit has been filed in New Orleans focusing on anti-racketeering against Signal International, the American and Indian recruiters.
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