Urging for immediate action to save 550 Indian citizens in USA from human trafficking and to get justice Reg

Sir,





A consulting and overseas recruiting company named, Dewan Consulting Pvt Ltd based on Mumbai whose Managing Director is Mr.Sachin Diwan and his brother Mr. Manish Diwan, his sister - Varuna Dewan along with their counter part company in USA named, Global Resources whose Managing Director is Mr.Michael Paul had recruited 550 Indian Citizens mostly hailing from South India after getting $20,000 per head and sent them to USA in the year 2006 (December).





The above amount paid was for promises of green cards and work based permanent residency in the United States and a job for $5000 per month. Instead the workers received 10 month temporary H2B guest worker visas and worked at a Marine Construction Company named, Signal International under deplorable conditions.





The workers were forced to pay $1,050 a month to live on company site in trailers (mobile containers) each with 24 persons. The food provided was also very bad and the workers were not allowed to go out of the company site either for accommodation or food. After several talks, the workers were allowed to move out, but the company still deducted $35 per day for accommodation and food. The Signal International Company had increased their torture to the workers daily and later most of the workers walked out of the company and started hunger strike for justice.





In the meanwhile, the temporary H2B visa of all the workers also got expired and a lawsuit is made against the Company with the Department of Justice by the workers. Since the visa got expired, the workers were not able to conduct the case also.





The hunger strike launched on May 14 comes at the heels of a two-month nationwide tour by the workers. Now the 16th day of hunger strike and in the meanwhile, the workers tried to meet the Ambassador of Indian Embassy, but he never turned up nor gives appointment. Among the 550 workers in total, most of them are from Tamil Nadu and Kerala.





We request you to expedite and urge the concerned Central Govt and Departments to take action to save the lives of 550 Indian Citizens and to bring the Dewan Company holders, Mr.Malverl Bernatte (immigration lawyer), Global Resource company holders and the Signal International Company authorities under law and prosecute for human trafficking and giving false promises and cheating.





The Indian Embassy in US, is never taking any interest to talk to the citizens nor taking it a serious issue. This issue is a huge head-down shame for the Nation. We cry for protection of rights and justice for these 550 Indian citizens.





Date: 29th May 2008


Place: Chennai.