Indian workers in US meet Sen, demand CBI probe

After marching for hundreds of miles to protest ''slave-like treatment'' at a Mississippi shipyard, nearly 100 Indians, who claim they were tricked into coming to the US, met Indian envoy Ronen Sen.They demanded a CBI probe into the alleged human trafficking by recruiters and steps to prevent abuse of workers under H2B visa programme.The embassy and the Indian government will go extra mile in taking care of workers' safety, security and dignity, Sen told the workers who reached the Indian embassy carrying placards and shouting slogans after their 1,500-km ''journey for justice'' that began in New Orleans on March 18.The Indian ambassador met the workers, who had quit Signal International plant in Pascagula in Mississippi on March 6 alleging they were being forced to live and work under inhuman conditions.He, however, reminded them that they cannot breach established diplomatic protocol by directly interceding with such agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Immigration and Customs Services or the Department of Justice.The workers, who narrated their experiences to Sen, demanded an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the case.''I will convey this request,'' Sen said.The workers, however, said they needed more than symbolic assurance.''What we need is action, not just symbolic assurances,'' said R Pazhambalakode.Signal, meanwhile, sought to put the blame on recruiters, saying it had fired Global Resources after it learnt that it had deceived workers by demanding highly excessive fees and making false promises about green card.

NDTV.com; Press Trust of India
Friday, March 28, 2008 (Washington)