333 Odisha labourers rescued from TN

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Feb 12:

In yet another case of migration, as many as 333 migrant labourers, including 75 minors, from Odisha were rescued from a brick kiln in Thiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.

These labourers working in an illegal brick kiln were rescued by a team of district administration, police and social activists following a tip off from one of the labourers to the sub collector few days back.

Sensing the severity of the issue, the district administration formed a team to crackdown on the brick kiln running without renewing the license.

The labourers were lured by a contractor promising handsome amount for their jobs at the brick kiln, GDM Chambers. However, they were paid as low as Rs 200 an individual per week, reports said.

The agent had trafficked them in December last year by paying an advance ranging from Rs 15, 000- Rs 20, 000 for a contract period of six months. The labourers were provided with thatched houses without proper sanitation facilities. The minor, in the age group of 11 and 14, were also asked to do manual labour at the site, the reports added.

Meanwhile, the Thiruvallur district administration has issuing release certificates for all 258 adults, along with a relief Rs. 20, 000 of which Rs 1, 000 has been paid as interim relief. The rest of the amount will be paid after reaching their respective places, sources said.