Krishna calls up Angola minister on Indian workers

Concerned over the situation of Indian workers at the cement plant in Sumbe, External Affairs minister SM Krishna today spoke to his Angolan counterpart Georges Chickoty who assured him that the contractual commitments to the workers will be met.

Concerned over the situation of Indian workers at the cement plant in Sumbe, External Affairs minister SM Krishna today spoke to his Angolan counterpart Georges Chickoty who assured him that the contractual commitments to the workers will be met.

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Krishna telephoned Chickoty who also agreed that Angolan government would facilitate, in cooperation with the Indian Embassy, early repatriation of those workers who may not be interested in continuing to work at the cement plant, official spokesperson in MEA Syed Akbaruddin said.

"As a matter of priority, those workers who are in custody will be sent back in the next few days. All workers who have indicated their desire to continue working will be assured of safe and secure work conditions. More than 500 of the 900 Indian workers have already gone back to work," he said.

Trouble arose when the workers were reportedly not paid their overtime dues properly, resulting in their refusing to work and going on strike. The Dubai-based cement factory employs about 1200 workers at Sumbe.