TN helped release 1,870 labourers from bondage in last three years

Chennai:

In the last three years, Tamil Nadu has identified and helped in
releasing 1,870 bonded labourers and distributed Rs 136 lakh as
rehabilitation, according to state governor K Rosaiah.

Speaking during the inauguration of the ‘End Bonded Labour Campaign’
here on Thursday, the governor hailed efforts of the state government,
collectors and district officers in eradicating bonded labour.

“Tamil Nadu has consistently lead the nation in the state’s effort to
address the issues and curb bonded labour. So far more than 65,000
bonded labourers have been released since the passage of the Bonded
Labour Abolition Act in 1976,” Rosaiah said.

“Our constitution guarantees freedom and equality. But the Global
Slavery Index 2013 indicates that 13.9 million people are estimated to
be enslaved in india with most being trapped under the bonded labour
system,” the governor said.

Stating that the campaign will raise awareness and support against the
abominable crime of bonded labour, he hailed the efforts of
International Justice Mission in identification and release of 4,000
bonded labourers in Tamil Nadu.

He later inaugurated the ‘End Bonded Labour Campaign’. Talking about
the campaign, director of government and community relations,
International Justice Mission, Hepzibah Sunder said said that the
40-day campaign will advocate for ending bonded labour across 32
districts of Tamil Nadu.

“At each distriuct, the campaign will address the prevalence and
existence of the issue in its most relevant form,” she said.

She said Mugavari Cultural troupe, which works for the rights of the
marginalized people in the state, will perform a 20-minute street
theatre drama highlighting the injustice suffered by lakh of bonded
labourers throughout the state.

Loyola College principal G Joseph Antony Samy and director of research
and partnership, International Justice Mission Kural Amutham also
spoke on the occasion.