Date:16/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/16/stories/2008051655251300.htm

International - India & World

Indian workers protest

— PHOTO: AFP

A group of Indian workers on a hunger strike in Lafayette Park opposite the White House on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON: A group of Indian workers staged a “water only” strike in front of the White House demanding that the Indian government take up with the U.S. the issue of their “exploitation” by American companies.

Backed by a major American labour organisation, the workers, who alleged exploitation by their previous employer, Mississippi shipyard Signal International, said that two more groups of 15 people each were scheduled to join them on May 15 and 28.

The workers, who are now facing immigration problems as they are no longer with Signal on H2 visa originally issued to them, are urging the Indian government to press the U.S. for a Congressional investigation and the right for the workers to remain safely here during an ongoing Department of Justice investigation into the case. — PTI