India: Impunity in case of trafficked bonded labour from Chhatisgarh: a story of aam-jan (common people) in India

Dear Friends,

Peoples' Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) got information through an activist from Bilaspur, Chhatisgarh regarding pitiful condition of 56 bonded labours in Cholapur police station of Varanasi in India.

Case detail:

56 trafficked Bonded labours (9 child labours, 28 adult male labours and female labours and 19 dependent small childrens) are resident of District Bilaspur of Chattisgarh and they were sold by the broker to the brick kiln owner (the name of the owner is not disclosed due to the security measures) in Cholapur police station of Varanasi district.  

The brick kiln owner is influenced person and involved in making illicit liquor at brick kiln. In night brick kiln owner with his hooligans beat on the roof of the hut with the lathi & stick and pull hand out of the women from the hut.

Now these labours wants to return back to their home but they are unable due to the fencing and monitoring of the brick kiln owner and his guards. 

On 8 February, 2012 letter through email was sent to District Magistrate Varanasi, on 9 February, 2011 to Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission and on 11 February, 2012 to Chief Election Commissioner. The NHRC had considered the matter and depute a team to carryout spot enquiry.

The activist with the complaint went to meet District Magistrate, Varanasi but he was in meeting for election in Commissioner Office. After finishing of meeting activist show letter to ADM (Administration) and requested for the urgent action than he suggested meeting with Assistant Labour commissioner. The activist went to Labour office but no officer was sitting due to the election. But nothing happen till today. It highlights the double standard of Indian system for right to life with dignity for poor, dalit and tribal people.

Sample letter:

 

Dear,

………………………………………..

 

I want to bring in your kind attention towards the a matter of 56 trafficked Bonded labour (9 child labour, 28 adult male and female labour and 19 dependent small children) in Chaubeypur police station, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh of India.

 These labours are resident of District Bilaspur of Chattisgarh and they were sold by the broker to the brick kiln owner (the name of the owner is not disclosed due to the security measures) in Cholapur police station of Varanasi district.  

 The brick kiln owner is influenced person and does the non-statutory work of selling and making raw alcohol at brick kiln. In night brick kiln owner with his hooligans and beat on the roof of the hut with the lathi & stick and pull hand out of the women from the hut.

Now these labours wants to return back to their home but there are unable due to the fencing and monitoring of the brick kiln owner and his guard.  Immediately letter was sent to all concerned authority but after many days after election no appropriate action was taken by the concerned authorities.

Therefore it is an urgent request immediate steps to put an end to practice of contemporary form of slavery like bonded labour in the brick kiln factory and take appropriate action as mentioned in the judgement given by honorable Supreme Court Neeraja Chaudhary vs. Government of Madhya Pradesh (http://indiankanoon.org/doc/1012224/) and Bandhuwa Mukti Morcha vs. Government of India (http://indiankanoon.org/doc/572040/). Issue release certificate and register the case against brick kiln owner under the Bonded Labour Act, 1976 Government of Uttar Pradesh also open special schools in the brick kiln factories for their migrant children.

Thanking You

………………………………………………..

 

Please send letter to:

 

1. Chief Secretary

Government of Uttar Pradesh

Secretariat, Lucknow-226001

Tel: 0522-2221599

Fax: 0522-2239283

 

2. Shri Mukul Wasnik

Minister, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

Sardar Patel Bhawan

Sansad Marg

New Delhi - 110 001

INDIA

Fax: + 91 11 23742133

E-mail: ddpg2-arpg@nic.in

 

3. Chairperson

National Human Rights Commission

Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg

New Delhi 110001

INDIA

Fax + 91 11 2338 4863

E-mail: chairnhrc@nic.in

 

4. Director and ILO Representative in India

International Labour Organization

Sub Regional Office for South Asia

India Habitat Centre, 3rd Floor, Core 4B

Lodi Road, New Delhi 110 003

INDIA

Fax: + 91 11 24602111

E-mail: sro-delhi@ilodel.org.in

 

5. Chief Technical Adviser

Promotion the Prevention and Elimination of Bonded Labour in South Asia (PEBLISA)

Sub-regional Programme, International Labour Organization

Sub Regional Office for South Asia

India Habitat Centre, 3rd Floor, Core 4B

Lodi Road, New Delhi 110 003

INDIA

Fax: + 91 11 24602111

E-mail: sro-delhi@ilodel.org.in

 

6.  Ministry of Labour and Employment

Minister Labour and Employment,

120, A-Wing, Shram Shakti Bhawan,

New Delhi-110001

INDIA

Tel: +91 11 2371 0240/ 2371 7515

Fax: +91 11 India:

 

7. Chief Election Commissioner

Election Commission of India
Nirvachan Sadan,
Ashoka Road, New Delhi-110001
Tel: 011-23717391

 Fax: 011-23713412

 

8. District Magistrate

   Varanasi

Tel No: 2508585

Fax No: 2502754

Email: dmvar@nic.in

 

Urgent Appeal Desk (pvchr.india@gmail.com)

 

 

 

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Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.

--The Buddha

 

"We are what we think. With our thoughts we make our world." - Buddha

 

 

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