Kendrapada BJD MP Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda on Wednesday visited the migrant Odia labourers employed in the brick kilns of Maheswaram Mandal in Randa Reddy district of Andhra Pradesh.
He made the field visit following reports of exploitation of the labourers in the kilns. He had earlier written to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and labour Minister requesting them to investigate the matter and ensure that the workers receive minimum wages stipulated by the Andhra Government under law.
On the basis of his letter, the NHRC directed the Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary to respond to the complaint with relevant information/report within four weeks.
During the visit to the brick kilns, Panda was accompanied by Andhra Pradesh Joint labour Commissioner Ravi Bhushan and Deputy labour Commissioner Ranga Reddy and several other State officials along with Rajiv Vidya Mission Project Officer P Ramesh Redd and members of organisations like PRAYAS and Aide et Action.
According to surveys, over two lakh migrant workers from western districts of Odisha seasonally migrate to brick kilns primarily in three districts of Andhra Pradesh. Kiln owners use contractors who pay an advance of Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per head to get workers to travel to the kilns. This lump-sum advance is the primary reason for migration. Once there, the workers are made to work for over 12 hours a day.
The wages paid to the workers are much less than the amounts stipulated under the Minimum Wages Act in Andhra Pradesh.
Panda toured three kilns and interacted with several labourers. He also met the association of kiln owners who explained their viewpoints. The visit was followed by an interaction between Panda and the Joint Commissioner of labour and other officers of the district administration and members of the civil society.
It was felt that the core issue is the implementation of the Andhra Government's own Minimum Wages Act. Unless this Act is implemented in the right earnest, worker welfare cannot be ensured. In addition, the State must take all measures to ensure the safety of all workers, especially women and even the activists working in the area.
Panda expressed his surprise at the way an NGO activist was shouted upon and manhandled by the kiln owners during the visit, right in front of the delegation and in the presence of the media.