5 YRS ON, RESCUED MIGRANTS YET TO GET REHABILITATION
AID
Friday, 01 June 2018 | PNS | BALANGIR |
in Bhubaneswar
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Around 15 rescued and released migrant bonded
labourers of Bairkhamn, Badbahali and Phapsi villages of Subarnapur district
are yet to get their rehabilitation assistance even though they were rescued as
far back as on April 23, 2013 from a brick kiln of Guddur district of Andhra
Pradesh.
The plight of the migrant bonded labourers came
to light in a recent leadership development programme organised by the Aide et
Action Bhubaneswar which was attended by the rescued labourers of Nabrangpur,
Nuapada, Balangir, Bargarh and Subarnapur districts.
According to the Bonded Labour System (Abolition)
Act 1976, a labourer/person who is rescued as a bonded labourer is entitled to
rehabilitation assistance of Rs 20,000 and a certificate of release. While Rs
1,000 is given on the rescue spot, the rest amount is paid by the native
district administration or the State.
The leadership development programme, among
others, stressed on how released and rescued migrant bonded labourers would get
more entitlements, more wage employment and inclusion in the Government’s
pro-poor and welfare schemes and benefits for their economic upliftment. The
meeting expressed surprise over reports of closure of seasonal hostels meant
for migrant children in Balangir district as the rules say that seasonal
hostels should be kept open till the return of the parents of migrant children.
While the rescued migrant bonded labourers
related their ordeal in getting job work and how they overcome it, the meeting
also stressed the need to pay attention to the returning migrants and their
children and steps for them to make a living in the villages.Among others, Umi
Daniel, Saroj Barik and Jyoti Prakash of Aide et Action clarified their doubts.
The rescued and released migrant bonded labourers were told to strive hard to
get the Government entitlements to lead a better life.
