4 rescued bonded labourers from Bihar still waiting for compensation in Tirupur

TIRUPUR: The four bonded labourers from Bihar , who were rescued from a coir pith unit at Parancherivali panchayat near Kangeyam last Tuesday, are yet to get the Rs 20,000 compensation and release certificate promised by the district administration.

The men, aged between 19 and 38, had reached Tamil Nadu between December and January with the guidance of a middleman.

They started working in the unit where the middleman was also employed. The unit owner gave them an advance of Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 through the middleman. The labourers were promised a salary of Rs 10,000, but were given only 10% of the amount, which violated the Bonded Labor System (Abolition) Act, 1976.

Government officials confronted three of them along with three teenagers, who were working in the unit, at the Chennai Central Railway Station last week. They told the officials that they had escaped from the unit as they were treated as bonded labourers. While the minors were kept in a government-recognised home in Chennai, the three adults were taken to the unit for inquiry.

While revenue department officials led by Dharapuram sub-collector Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar was conducting the inquiry, one more worker raised the same allegation. The officials found the middleman and the unit owner guilty as the victims were not provided even toilet facility. Subsequently, the four victims were kept under the district administration custody and were put in a room with police protection. They were not allowed to go out, but were given food thrice a day.

“The victims are worried as they want to reach their homes as soon as possible. They can go home only after the district administration issues them release certificates and Rs 20,000 compensation each,” an official said.

Meanwhile, a senior official blamed the delay on the Lok Sabha election. “The process is getting delayed due to the election work. But, we have ensured them safe accommodation and food.”

A released bonded labourer in possession of the release certificate is entitled to access rehabilitation grants under the centrally-sponsored schemes.