**Bhubaneswar: ** Odisha Labour Minister Shusant Singh on Friday revealed that 1 lakh 6 thousands 778 labourers migrated from the State through 2244 licensed contractors in the year 2016.
The Minister revealed this while addressing a press conference here as a part of Odisha Government’s media interaction programme.
Answering a question, Singh said, “Our department had issued license to 2244 contractors in the year 2016 to employ labourers outside the State. 1 lakh 6 thousands 778 labourers were employed outside the State through these contractors. Around 56 people were also arrested for trafficking labourers without license. We will keep apprehending those who are sending labourers outside State for work without having proper license.”
The department also informed that it has rescued 450 child labourers from 2014 to 2016.
Answering a question in this regard, Gudey Srinivas, Principal Secretary, Labour and ESI Department informed, “We have rescued 450 child labourers from 2014 to 2016. To check child labour, at least 5000 establishments were inspected in the 2016.”
