- Over 40 laborers from Chattisgarh working in brick kilns in Jammu and Kashmir made a bold attempt at fighting their tyrant employers who regularly mistreated them.
- The workers were expected to work from 3 am to 8 pm, were not allowed to return back to their homes and were not even paid as promised.
- Not knowing how to escape, they amassed some money and sent one of their own to Chattisgarh to seek police intervention. The police did arrive along with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate who recorded their statements but refused to issue their release certificates.
- A release certificate entitles victims of forced labour to Rs.20,000 and State assistance to acquire land or skill-bases alternate means of livelihood under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976.
- Chattisgarh Labour Department has received until now over 150 complaints of forced labour in kilns and construction sites, of which less than 5% of the labourers have received the release certificates that enables them to receive assistance.
- The State must also introspect to understand why so many workers and farmers migrate to other states in distress, and recognize the effect it has on the State’s economy.
- Read at: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/dalits-flee-jk-kilns-but-get-little-help-from-state-authorities/article6035381.ece
Exams Perspective: