The seven work for an Indian firm building roads in Ethiopia.

Local staff have allegedly held the seven for the last five days because they had not been paid salaries, the Ethiopia Observer reported.

One of the seven, Chaitanya Hari, was quoted by India's The Hindu newspaper as saying:

Quote Message: The safety situation is getting worse day by day. In our camp, Indians are not allowed to go outside to bring food, water and other essential items. The local people fear that once we leave the camp, they will not get their salaries.”

The safety situation is getting worse day by day. In our camp, Indians are not allowed to go outside to bring food, water and other essential items. The local people fear that once we leave the camp, they will not get their salaries.”

Another captive tweeted:

neeraj raghuwanshi@chota86

 #SOS We 7 employee from #ILFS are hostages by local labor/staff at in Ethiopia from last 4 days coz of nonpayment of creditors and local salaries. #ILFS denied to send fund from India. Kindly save us. Day2day situation worsening @narendramodi @sushmaswaraj @udaykotak @arunjaitley

The company has not yet commented.