Owner of a brick kiln in the Malur area of Kolar district in Karnataka, around 70 km from Bengaluru, has allegedly kept a couple and their child of Kasinagar block in Gajapati district forcefully as bonded labourers.
The matter came to light when Baburao’s father Apparao informed the local media about the incident on September 22 this year.
The couple identified as Baburao Sabar (30) and his wife Bhagya (25) were held captive in the kiln by its owner and forced to work with no wages. The couple has a five-year-old son, who is also trapped with them.
According to reports, Baburao were employed two and a half years ago when the couple had come to Karnataka in search for employment. They were not allowed to leave the establishment since then.
Baburao’s father alleged that his son and daughter-in-law get handful of rice as incentive to work which only suffices their two meals. “They are not allowed to make even a phone call,” he added.
Apparao said he himself has worked in the same factory for six months this year. When the kiln owner didn’t pay his wage, he left the brick kiln by taking advantage of his employer’s absence. “But I can’t bring my son back with me,” he added.
After getting news of the tragic story, Paralakhemundi MlA K Surya Rao had gone to meet the victim’s parents and requested the labour Commissioner of the State to take further action.
A few days ago, the Odisha Government had written a letter to the Karnataka labour Commission to rescue the family from the brick kiln.
After receiving instructions from the head office, Assistant Commissioner of labour (Karnataka) AH Umesh had instructed the labour Inspector for Kolar region, lokesh J, to take necessary actions and submit a report after probing the matter.
The officials have assured that they would raid the brick kiln on Wednesday with the intervention of the Revenue Department.
Notably, bonded labour is abolished under the Bonded labour Abolition Act, 1976. This act made the practice of bondage a cognisable offence punishable by law.
(The reporter of the story is a print journalism student of the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, Bangalore)