18 stranded Indian workers safely return from Libya after weeks of hardship

Workers rescued after being trapped in Benghazi under false promises

A group of 18 Indian nationals, who were stranded for several weeks in Benghazi, Libya, safely landed in New Delhi on Wednesday morning, officials confirmed.

The workers arrived on a Turkish Airlines flight at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in the early hours of the day, according to an official from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Indian Embassy facilitates safe return

The Indian Embassy in Libya successfully coordinated the safe return of the workers, who had been trapped in Benghazi after falling victim to a fake recruitment scam.

The individuals were reportedly lured by fraudulent recruitment agents offering false promises of lucrative job opportunities. According to sources, a Libyan contractor recruited the workers in Dubai, convincing them to travel to Libya without proper visas.

“Since they had no visa, we secured their release through an exit permit mechanism, which took some time. We were assisted by the Libyan authorities throughout the process. During this period, our Embassy in Libya took care of them and provided for all their basic daily needs,” an official said.

Workers’ ordeal at Libyan cement company

All 18 rescued Indian nationals are workers hailing from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Their difficulties began when they started working at the Libyan Cement Company’s Benghazi plant in September 2023.

Disputes arose after the workers protested against unpaid wages, leading to mistreatment and withholding of their dues by their employers. The workers alleged that they were subjected to physical abuse and held in prison-like conditions following their protests.

Embassy’s continuous support and cooperation with Libyan authorities

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that the Embassy remained in constant communication with the stranded workers, ensuring their well-being and providing them with daily essentials.

“The Embassy worked closely with the local authorities and assisted the Indian workers with the required authorization and travel documents,” Jaiswal said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

The Embassy of India in Libya facilitated the return of 18 Indian nationals from Benghazi, Libya. They would be arriving in Read More