Bonded labourers rescued from brick kilns in Tamil Nadu

VELLORE: The Vellore district administration, in collaboration with an NGO, on Wednesday rescued two Irula families — two couples and their children— kept as bonded labourers in two brick kilns.
According to Christie Swamickan, field communication officer at International Justice Machine (IJM), a team of officials led by Vellore sub-collector Meghraj and organisers of IJM rushed to Kaniyambadi following information from local sources. The village is 15km away from the district headquarters.

“All the bonded labourers from two separate families were found working under harrowing conditions in the brick kilns. The two families had been working there for two and four years. The owners who made them slog for more than 12 hours a day, would pay a weekly amount of Rs 100 per worker,” said Christie.

Meghraj said Kumar, 30, his wife Mariamma, 25, and their two children from Mangkaadu village near Arcot, were confined at a brick kiln owned by Mahalingam. They had been working there for the past two years.

Praskash 31, his wife Amulu, 27, and their four children from Bangrapalayam in Chitoor, had been held captive at an adjacent kiln owned by Ramesh for the past four years, Meghraj said.

Out of six children, except two toddlers, four were forced to work with their parents.

“The movements of the workers were restricted within the kilns. They were not allowed any leave or rest. All the rescued workers were given release certificates and steps are on to send them to their native villages,” he said.

According to a senior police officer, based on a complaint filed by Kaniyambadi VAO Suresh, police have booked a case and are searching for owners of the kilns.