Monday, August 11, 2014

Compensation for 239 bonded labourers demanded



BHUBANESWAR: The Jana Jagarana Dadan Sangha (JJDS), an organisation fighting for the rights of bonded and migrant labourers, on Monday here demanded the State Government to immediately compensate and rehabilitate 239 bonded labourers of Balangir district according to the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. 

The JJDS and its solidarity group alleged that the State has violated the Act by not compensating and rehabilitating the bonded labourers who had been rescued two years ago. “We have rescued 239 bonded labourers including 120 women within three years from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, but the State Government didn’t pay heed to their demands despite repeated request,” lamented JJDS president Bhakta Bagh.

Bagh, who is also a bonded labourer, said they have received release certificates from the district administrations of the States where they had been working in the brick kilns. “They have completed all the formalities to get the compensation, but the State is silent,” he added.

JJDS and Solidarity Group member Murali Das said the State is indirectly inspiring the poor people to become bonded labourers by closing eyes on their demands to compensate and rehabilitate the labourers according to the law. “If the State provides Rs 20,000 per a bonded labourer, land rights and employment security under the MGNREGA, why they will go to brick kilns to get torture from the kiln owners,” said Das.

When the State didn’t address their issues, Das said, they approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) finally which recently issued a notice to the Odisha Government and to the Collectors of other three States to submit report within four weeks in this regard.     

The NHRC Camp Court would be held at Bhubaneswar on October 15 and would continue for three days to hear the case.

A documentary film produced by the Actionaid on a bonded labourer’s story was released here. The film showcased the plight of a bonded labourer Hemsagar Tandi in brick kilns of other States.

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