News in Orissa Post
Bonded labourers up in arms, seek rehab
December 10 2015
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Bolangir, Dec 10: Hundred of bonded labourers, rescued from different
corners of the country and brought here for rehabilitation, Thursday held a
dharna against the authorities as they allegedly reneged on their assurance to
rehabilitate them.
They alleged that years have passed since they were rescued from
bondage but the government is sitting on their applications to rehabilitate
them as they were promised. Several representations to the authorities
have proved futile. Irate over the prolonged apathy by the
administration, bonded labourers in the district, considered to be a hotbed of
bonded labour in the state, came together to sit on a dharna.
“I had gone to a brick-kiln in Andhra Pradesh in 2012.
We were rescued and given released certificates with an assurance that Rs
19,000 would be given to us in our home state. After returning home, I
approached the local block officials and I was told to contact BDO and WEO
to get the rehabilitation assistance. I submitted papers to them. But
till today I have not received the assistance as envisaged in the bonded labour
system (abolitions) Actof 1976,” said Ragu Deep of Dumerpitha village of
Deogaon block in this district.
I had gone to a brick kiln in Tamil Nadu in 2011 and we were
rescued from there. After returning here I submitted the documents to block
officials. They did not listen to our demands. Till today I have not received
rehabilitation assistance from the block, said Dhuba Chinagur of Saan Patrapali
of Naren GP of Titiligarh.
Several Bonded laboueres of Bolangir district staged a dharna
before the Collectorate on occasion the Human Rights Day Thursday, demanding
immediate payment of their pending rehabilitation assistance and their
inclusion in different social security schemes and a comprehensive plan for
their proper rehabilitation.
So far 276 bonded labourers of Bolangir district are yet
to receive their rehabilitation assistance. “We demand that
rehabilitation assistance be paid to us immediately and a comprehensive social
security and livelihood plan be prepared and implemented for proper
rehabilitation, says Motlial Tandi, president of Dadan and Goti Surakshya
Manch, Bolangir.
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