Muzaffarpur: A man from Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district has alleged that he is being forced to work for long hours at a hatchery company in Senegal, where his passport and visa have allegedly been retained by his employer and his salary has not been paid.
Umashankar Kumar, a resident of Kothiya village in Kurhani block, is currently in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, where he travelled on May 17 after being offered a job with a promised monthly salary of Rs 60,000.
Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar over a video call, Umashankar alleged that he is made to work for around 12 hours a day and is then required to remain inside his room for another 12 hours. He claimed that he is not allowed to leave the company premises and that his passport and visa have been kept by the employer.
“I have to work for 12 hours and then stay inside the room for another 12 hours. I am not allowed to go outside. It has been months since I have seen the sun and sky,” Umashankar alleged.
He further claimed that when he asked for his salary, he was abused, while his request to return home was allegedly met with a demand for Rs 2 lakh.
“I have become so upset that sometimes I feel like ending my life. I just want to come back to my village. How can I work under such torture?” he said.
Went to Senegal hoping to earn for daughter’s wedding
Umashankar said he had been working for a hatchery company in Haryana for a long time. In January this year, he became acquainted with a Nepali man while working there. The two worked together for some time before the acquaintance moved to Senegal.
Umashankar returned to Muzaffarpur in March to celebrate Holi. After the festival, his elder daughter’s marriage was fixed for February 2027.
With the family’s financial condition weak and the wedding expenses approaching, Umashankar contacted his Nepali acquaintance about employment opportunities abroad.
He was allegedly told about a job at a hatchery company in Dakar that offered a monthly salary of Rs 60,000, along with accommodation and food.
According to Umashankar, the company arranged his visa and travel ticket. He reached Senegal on May 17.
However, he alleged that after arriving in Dakar, the company owner made him sign an agreement for a monthly salary of Rs 30,000 instead of the promised Rs 60,000.
He further alleged that his passport and visa were taken by the company and that he continued working despite the changed terms.
Claims 12-hour shifts and no salary
Umashankar alleged that he is required to work around 12 hours every day and is expected to continue working even when he falls ill.
He also claimed that employees are restricted from using phones for conversations and that he has not received his salary.
According to him, food arrangements at the company also deteriorated. Initially, workers were provided one meal a day. Later, after the cook stopped coming, he was allegedly given a small amount of money to buy food.
However, he claimed he was not allowed to leave the premises and therefore had to survive on items such as bread and cold drinks bought within the company premises.
He said more than 45 days had passed under these conditions.
Umashankar also alleged that when he expressed his desire to return to India, he was told that he would have to pay Rs 2 lakh to leave.
‘I am scared something may happen to me’
Umashankar said he now wants to leave Senegal and return to his family.
“I just want to get out of here. I am scared all the time. I secretly speak to my family. If the company officials come to know that my wife has appealed for my return, something bad could happen to me,” he alleged.
He said his family was already struggling financially and that his inability to return had increased the burden.
“I came abroad hoping to earn money for my daughter’s wedding and prevent the family from falling further into debt. But now that I am stuck here, the family’s financial problems have increased,” he said.
Wife struggling to support family
Umashankar’s wife, Chandni Devi, said the family was finding it difficult to manage household expenses in his absence.
“I earn some money through stitching and try to run the household, but it is not enough for the children’s education and other expenses. Taking care of three children and running the household has become difficult,” she said.
She added that the family has been forced to borrow money at interest to meet its expenses, increasing its debt every month.
Umashankar’s family includes his wife, two sons and a daughter. The family is also facing financial difficulties, with his daughter’s wedding scheduled for February 2027.
Muzaffarpur MP seeks MEA intervention
Muzaffarpur MP and Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Dr Raj Bhushan Choudhary has sought the intervention of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in the matter.
According to the representation submitted to the ministry, Umashankar travelled to Senegal on May 17, 2026, for employment and is working with JAI LAXMI S.A.R.L. in Dakar.
The representation alleges that he has not been paid his salary and that his passport and visa have been retained by the company, following which he has allegedly been forced to continue working.
It also mentions allegations of threats of physical assault and imprisonment.
Citing the seriousness of the matter, Choudhary has forwarded the case to the Ministry of External Affairs for necessary action. He has requested the ministry to ensure Umashankar’s safety and take steps for his safe return to India.
The allegations made by Umashankar could not be independently verified from the information available.
