More than 100 Thai workers stranded in Uzbekistan are appealing for help after losing their jobs during the pandemic.

The representative of the workers said they have been stuck in the middle-eastern country after the COVID-19 outbreak closed the factories.

Uzbekistan has banned all flights into the country, which prevents the men from being repatriated. There are 102 in total.

The group said that they were now living in congested rooms with other Uzbek and Bengali workers, which could risk them catching the virus.

The Thai minister of labour Duangrith Benjathikul said that the officials were communicating with Uzbek government to try and repatriate the group.

He said: "We have received the complaint from the workers and wanted to help right away but the Uzbek government has not allowed any flight until the end of this month.

"We will need to negotiate further for an emergency flight so that we can help our people which is the most important thing."

He added that the workers should have received the aid money from the government if they are registered as overseas workers.

He said: "All workers that are registered with us should receive the aid payment that we provided for them unless they were deceived to work abroad illegally.

"In that case, we also have the measure to help them but we would need them back first."