India, Nov. 1 -- Forty-eight migrant workers from Jharkhand are reportedly stranded in Tunisia, facing harsh conditions and being forced to work without pay. They were allegedly employed in the North African nation through a Delhi-based private firm.

According to news agency PTI, the Jharkhand Labour Department has established contact with the stranded workers, who have expressed their desire to return to India.

"We spoke to the migrant workers allegedly stranded by a private firm in Tunisia and are verifying their documents. We are also in touch with the Indian Embassy officials in Tunisia for arranging their safe return to their native places," team leader of Migrant Control Cell (under Jharkhand Labour department), Shikha Lakra, told...