Telangana, INDIA – On 16 February 2022, IJM’s partner Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) rallied local authorities in the state of Telangana to rescue 14 people from bonded labour at an abusive brick kiln—including eight adults and six children.
Each of the impoverished families trafficked to this brick kiln had been lured with a loan of 10,000 to 20,000 rupees (A$180-360), which was being held over them as a growing debt. They were forced to work 14 hours a day for about four months, with only one person allowed to leave each week to buy food.
When one labourer fell sick, the owner gave him alcohol instead of medicine, so he’d keep working. Even the children were forced to carry heavy bricks to meet the families’ quotas.
FSD reported the labourers’ plight to the government, and the Revenue Division Officer quickly assembled a team of police and labour officials to interview the victims at the brick kiln, confirm the truth of their experience, and bring them to safety. Other local leaders were not able to join, but the case moved forward anyway due to the urgency of the abuse.
One FSD staff member commended the proactive officials for moving the case forward even with a smaller team, saying,
“The Revenue Division Officer conducted a detailed enquiry and issued Release Certificates to the adults. This does not happen usually, as such decision-making power usually lies with the Collector. The victims spoke boldly and truly, which compelled the RDO to release and repatriate them.”
Release Certificates formally break the survivors’ bonds to the owner, cancel their false debts, and help them access government benefits in freedom. The FSD team has helped the families resettle in their home community and will support their recovery by helping them secure bank accounts, ID cards, rehabilitation funding, and dignified work.
A speedy and victim-sensitive case like this signifies great progress in the state of Telangana, which recently declared February 9 as Bonded Labour System Abolition Day, an annual event commemorating the passing of India’s anti-bonded labour law. Organisations like FSD have been instrumental in raising awareness of bonded labour in Telangana and supporting the government’s efforts to end these heinous crimes for good.
About IJM’s Partnership Model
IJM has collaborated with local authorities to rescue and restore victims of bonded labour in India since 2001. In 2012, we launched a new project, based in Delhi, to partner with like-minded organisations across the country, share expertise, replicate success in addressing bonded labour and in building government capacity. Our partner Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) has been defending and empowering oppressed communities across southern India since 2000. IJM has partnered with FSD since 2015.
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