273 Odia Bonded Labourers rescued in Tamil Nadu

A large number of bonded labourers have been set free by the help of a NGO in Tamil Nadu. As many as 273 people belonging to Odisha were rescued in Tiruvallur district. They were employed in a brick kiln at a very low wage.

The victims were the natives of Nuapada, Balangir, Nabarangpur and Bargarh districts. The labourers were employed at the brick kiln by an agent on the false promise that they would get good wage. However, they were being paid only Rs 300 per week, whereas the government has made the minimum wage Rs 136 per day.

The rescued labourers have been sent back to their villages by train. The search is on to nab the owner of the brick kiln. The Odisha government will take a strong action against the middleman, who had supplied the labourers to Tamil Nadu.