March 07, 2026 : Six Indian workers who were allegedly held captive and tortured by their employer in Thailand for several months have been rescued following the intervention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday.

According to the NHRC, four of the workers were repatriated to India on February 21, just a day after the Commission wrote to the MEA seeking urgent action in the matter. The workers returned to India on a Bangkok–Kolkata flight arranged by their employer.

The MEA’s Southern Division stated that efforts are ongoing to facilitate the return of the remaining two workers, who are currently undergoing legal proceedings in Thailand for overstaying their visas.

The NHRC had taken suo motu cognisance of a media report on February 20 highlighting the plight of six workers from Kendrapara district in Odisha who were allegedly being held captive by their employer near Bangkok.

After receiving the Commission’s communication, the MEA approached Thai authorities seeking their assistance in securing the workers’ rescue. The ministry also contacted the owner of the company where the workers were employed.

The media report referred to a video recorded by the workers on February 17 in which they described their ordeal.

In the video, the workers alleged that they were confined inside a factory near Bangkok and forced to work nearly 12 hours a day in a plywood manufacturing unit without wages or adequate food. They further claimed that their passports had been seized by the employer.

The MEA stated that the matter continues to be pursued with Thai authorities to ensure the safe repatriation of the remaining two workers.