Hassan: 24 bonded labourers rescued? Officials doubt NGO's claim

Hassan: A non-governmental organisation in Sakaleshpur has reportedly rescued 24 bonded labourers who were allegedly made to work in a brick kiln by its owner and also confined in the kiln for over six months though authorities claim it is not a case of bonded labour.

The labourers were brought to the tahsildar's office in Sakleshpur on Monday for an official inquiry. “They include 5 couples, 10 children and four teenagers; they were trafficked by two people before they were handed over to the brick kiln owner,” said members of the NGO involved in the tracking of the labourers.

The Sakleshpur police had on Friday raided the brick kiln at Malagalli in Sakleshpur taluk but the owner of the kiln got a hint about the raid and set the labourers free.  The police had to return empty handed.  However later, one labourer managed to escape from the clutches of the brick kiln owner and informed the NGO. The labourers are reportedly from Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu. Before being brought to the brick kiln, they were assured daily wages of Rs 500 (for men)  and Rs 400 (for women) but the assurance turned out to false as the brick kiln owner paid them only Rs 75 a day with the working hours stretching from 6 am to 7 pm without a break. “One of the bonded labourers sought permission to attend his wife's funeral but was denied,” said a member of the NGO.

Tahsildhar Rakshith told DC that he had conducted a spot inspection and had doubts if it was a case of  bonded labour. He has submitted a report to the Assistant Commissioner, Sakleshpur who has to make a decision in this regard.

Meanwhile, the NGO presented the 24 freed bonded labourers before Tahsildar Rakshith for recording their statements.