BHUBANESWAR — A total of 388 migrant workers from India’s Odisha state died while working outside the state over the 2024-25 and 2025-26 financial years, while authorities rescued 2,890 distressed labourers during the same period.

In an article by The Times of India, Labour Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia presented the figures in a written reply to the state assembly on Tuesday, responding to a question from Aul MLA Pratap Keshari Deb.

The data also recorded 40 deaths among Odia migrants in foreign countries, while 203 workers stranded overseas were rescued and repatriated with government assistance.

The state government paid a combined Rs 3.58 crore in compensation to the families of the 388 workers who died outside Odisha, the minister said.

Rescue figures showed that Balangir district accounted for the largest number of workers brought to safety, at 1,515, followed by neighbouring Nuapada with 503.

Both districts are recognised as major migration areas, with workers frequently travelling to southern Indian states for seasonal employment in brick kilns and other labour-intensive industries.

Officials said migration from the Balangir-Nuapada belt is particularly common during agricultural lean periods, when residents leave their villages to seek alternative sources of income.

No migrant rescue cases were recorded during the period in Malkangiri, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Deogarh and Bhadrak districts.

To support responses in areas with significant migration, the state government has allocated Rs 10 lakh each to the collectors of 14 migration-prone districts.

The funding is intended to cover rescue missions, transport for stranded workers, emergency assistance and support related to compensation.