Declare Feb 9 as day against bonded labour, demands RBLA

Meeting on the eve of the day when the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act (BLSA) of 1976 was passed – 42 years later – the members wished to address the state and demand measures that would improve their lives. 

According to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the state had the highest number of bonded labourers released in India at 66,573 as of March 2012.  Kural Amuthan of the International Justice Mission, said, “We want the general public to be aware of the plight of bonded labourers and how much effort goes into their rehabilitation. For instance, we have the World Day against Child Labour, which provides a lot of visibility to the issue. But bonded labourers have no such opportunity to highlight their plight. We would like February 9 – the day on which the BLSA was passed – to be declared an occasion to pay tribute to them.” 

He added that 13 types of industries have been identified wherein bonded labourers are employed and efforts should be made to reduce this. “Rock quarries, fisheries, textiles, poultry farms, etc... as of 2015, nearly 4.6 lakh people are bonded labourers in the state. Issues such as failure to pay them minimum wage and restricting them from seeking alternate employment plague them. The state needs to address all these complaints.” 

The RBLA in five districts, advocates for survivors by assisting them with housing, land, entitlements and basic needs. “We request the government for assistance with timely rehabilitation for survivors, the RBLA members to be included as part of VC meetings, prioritise the process of entitlement applications and introduce BL survivor-friendly schemes,” stated the members. 

“We hope this event acts as a trigger for the state to help us. The land promised to us would enable us begin a vegetable business. Most of us don’t even have ration or Aadhaar cards. They need to provide livelihood schemes,” said 27-year-old Pachaiamma, who was rescued in 2010.