Scores of Indian immigrant workers appeared in a federal courtroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma alleging they were held in 'virtual slavery' by a US company.

The 52 skilled workers, including welders, fitters and electricians, have accused the John Pickle Company, a $15-million manufacturer of specialised oil industry equipment, of paying them less than the minimum wage and confining them to the factory dormitory against their will.

John Pickle did not comment on the case. His lawyers claim the immigrants brought to the US from India to work for the John Pickle Company, were trainees not employees. And under the Fair Labour Standards Act, this doesn't necessarily entitle them to minimum wage.

Pickle's attorneys say the workers were paid according to their skills and qualifications as welders, painters and for other jobs within the company.

But attorneys for the workers say they have a contract signed by the company's executive vice-president William Reeble, which states the workers were indeed employees of the company.

"We're going to rely on John Pickle's own documents to show the human

trafficking and violations of the Fair Labour Standard Act. We're going to let the words come out of his own people's mouth," Johnny Parker, the plaintiff's attorney said.

Their situation didn't come to light until some of the employees were able to leave the work site and seek help from local religious groups.

Almost two years, the workers walked out of the John Pickle Company not knowing what would happen next. Their case has now come up for hearing.

The workers' attorneys say the immigrants are working in other states for different companies doing the same job, manufacturing. Many of them are reportedly making between $25 to $30 per hour, compared to the $3 an hour, the immigrants say, they were making at the John Pickle Company.

The court battle is expected to be watched closely in Oklahoma as well as Louisiana, where a similar lawsuit is pending.