Apparel manufacturing unit Filitex SAL in Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon has allegedly been blamed for hiring migrant Indian garment workers on ‘wrong’ permits. Passports of these workers were seized by the local authorities. While seven workers have already left for India, more than a dozen, who belong to Tamil Nadu, are still waiting for the company to return their passports, which it has received from the authorities. As a consequence of this, the workers have to stay there even though their contracts have ended around four months back.
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One of the workers, A Senthilmurugan of Sirgazhi in Nagapattinam says that Lebanese officials raided the company and found that many workers were using machines which require Technical Permits. They reportedly seized passports of these workers.
The matter is now in the notice of Indian Foreign Affairs Ministry as families of the workers approached Indian Government for help. PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss wrote to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj requesting her intervention to rescue workers.
Ponkumar P, President of Tamilaga Kattida Thozhilalargal Mathiya Sangam, who helped rescuing workers stuck in similar condition last year, is of the opinion that labourers are cheated by agents who send them on visitor visas and not on Work Permits. Yet, many go as the salary is better, savings potential is high.
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Established over 80 years back, Filitex is a knitwear manufacturing company which produces casual cotton wear and underwear for adults, children and infants. The company works with some large department stores in Germany, France, UK and Sweden.
