Eight bonded labourers released from rock breaking unit in Tiruvannamalai

Chennai:

Eight bonded labourers were rescued after revenue divisional officer of Cheyyar Revenue Division in Tiruvanamalai district and International Justice Mission conducted a rescue operation in Salavedu village in Vandavasi taluk.

Revenue division officer of Cheyyar Division K Priya said a total of 14 people were brought out of the facility after approximately six years in bondage. These include nine adults (four women) and five children. She said an elderly lady was just staying in the facility and was not working as such she was not identified as bonded labourer.

Interestingly one among the rescued person was a child, who was 10 days old, said the RDO. She said all the people belong to Madurantakam and a protection complaint has been filed in the area.

She said operator Sekhar of the rock quarry paid the victims approximately Rs 50 per person, per week, which is below the Tamil Nadu minimum wage of Rs 136.02 per day. The labourers were made to work for more than 12 hours each day.

The owner also denied the labourers freedom of movement and the freedom to work outside of the facility.

Immediately following the rescue operation, the district administration conducted an enquiry into the facility’s labour practices and found that eight bonded labourers were victims of illegal forced labour practices at the hands of the facility owner. Priya then issued release certificates to eight bonded labourers, officially identifying them as victims of bonded labour and entitling them to government rehabilitation funds. She also distributed the initial Rehabilitation fund of Rs 1000 to each of the released labourers. The remaining Rs 19,000 would be paid in the area where they will be rehabilitated, she added.