Pregnant woman, children among 63 rescued from forced labour by administration in Mewat

MEWAT: While Gurugram is becoming increasingly popular as work destination for corporates, just 75 kms ahead in the adjoining district Mewat, workers at a brick kiln were bullied by a contractor. The accused even locked in a pregnant who was rescued after an NGO got the whiff of the situation. The district administration rescued 32 labours and their 31 children from a brick kiln on February 9. They have now been given letters stating them to be a free from any bond and sent back home.
Around 22 brick kilns are located in Mewat’s Punhana sub-division, where these labourers were harassed by their contractor. Around 63 people, including a few couples and their children were brought here by contractors – Ram Mohan and Rajkumar three months ago. The workers hail from Chitrakoot, Panhar and Banda districts in Uttar Pradesh Many brick kilns in Uttar Pradesh have been closed down in order to protect Taj Mahal. Such workers, have now migrated to other states in search of livelihood.

The 46 labourers were paid an advance of Rs 5,000 to 10,000 each. In due course, with their promised wages, they were to be paid between Rs 25,000 to 50,000 on the basis of the number of the bricks made by the each worker.

“Each of us has made around 50,000 to 70,000 bricks. But we were not paid for our hardwork. Whenever we spoke to manager at the brickworks, Ram Mohan would interrupt and said that we will not be paid till June,” said Jamahir, another rescued worker.

“How can we stay in another state and not have any money for 6 to 7 months. Many times, the workers we were assaulted by Ram Mohan’s men for demanding our wages. They wouldn’t let us leave either and forced us to work,” said Arjun, one of the rescued labourer.

Not just financially, the brickworks didn’t offer any basic facility like drinking water or washroom either. Situation got worse when he started harassing the women too, including a pregnant woman. The workers alleged that the contractor even harassed their wives and daughters.

“The woman was pregnant but he wouldn’t even allow to go out even to see a doctor. Ram Mohan was worried that she would tell people about his misbehaviour with workers. One day he locked her in and stopped all labour from going out too,” said Rajmani, a worker.

The matter came to light when a worker managed to contact a Delhi based NGO- Bonded Labour Liberation Front. The workers called the NGO on February 6 and informed them about the situation.

The NGO then reported the matter to district administration. It filed a complaint stating violation of Bonded Labor System (Abolition) Act, 1976,Interstate Migrant Workmen Act and juvenile justice act.

“The workers told us that accused would pass lewd comments towards the women, the children too were made to work. Basic facilities were missing there. When we asked why did you go to Mewat, the caller said ‘sahib there is no work there else who wants to leave their home’,” said Swami Agnivesh, founder-president of Bonded Labour Liberation Front.

A team headed by SDM Jitender Garg along with Mewat police raided the brickworks and rescued the workers. All have now returned home.

Jitender Garg, SDM, Punhana told TOI that “the workers didn’t file any complaint against the employer or anyone else. We have initiated an action against the contractor and have taken an undertaking from him that if he ever misbehaves again, a police complaint will be filed against him”.