50 bonded labourers rescued in Thanjai

Upon being alerted by activists that people were being engaged as bonded labourers in the brick kilns located on the banks of Kollidam river in Devangudi village in Thanjavur district, officials led by RDO (Kumbakonam) M Veerasamy, Tahsildar (Papanasam) Kannan, and social worker P Fathimaraj conducted a surprise inspection at the brick kilns.

During inquiry, they found out there were a total of 20 families working as bonded labourers in three brick kilns in the area-all owned by three people hailing from the neighbouring Ariyalur district, namely Sekar, Mani, and Raju. In Sekar's kiln, there were 11 families with 24 adult members and 3 children. In Raju's kiln, there were 18 adults and three children, while in Mani's kiln, there were two members.

They were rescued and brought to the taluk office in Papanasam. Further inquiries revealed that the bonded labourers were from Ariyalur and Thanjavur districts. According to Sumathi, one of the rescued, their movements were restricted and they were even not allowed to consult a doctor.

Officials who rescued the labourers said the workers had been paid an advance amount ranging from a few thousand rupees to one lakh. Following this, they were made to work as bonded labourers and despite putting in many years of work, their loan amount was not adjusted by the owners.

“There was physical abuse by the employers and one of the workers even reportedly committed suicide a few months ago. There were instances of a son and daughter-in-law working in the kiln just to repay the loan taken by the father. The families were working for period ranging from one year to ten years”, said Fathimaraj.

The owners of the kiln from where the people were rescued are, however, absconding. Meanwhile, revenue officials are working to issue release certificates to the bonded labourers. The Kabisthalam police have registered a case.