Chennai: Kancheepuram revenue officials and members of International Justice Mission, who inspected a work site in the district, rescued nine bonded labourers from a rice mill factory on Monday. They were natives of Manamathi village in Chengalpet.
Nine labourers - two men, two women and five children - were rescued after three years in bondage. The rice mill owner was not to be found.
Based on a tip-off that two families from Chengalpattu were forced into slavery, the Kancheepuram revenue officers, members of IJM and the Kancheepuram police conducted a surprise inspection at a rice mill in Kavanur in Uthiramerur Each family had received 8,000 from the rice mill owner three years ago. He paid each family a menial wage of Rs 300 a month They had to work 16 hours a day.
"Their movement was restricted. The labourers were not allowed to leave the mill to attend family functions and festivals. They were not allowed to go to the hospital when they were sick. The labourers reported verbal and physical abuse at the worksite," said a source.
The rescued bonded labourers were Vasu (40), his wife Amul (38) and their children Parvathy (14) and Arjunan (8). The other family consisted of Vijay (38), his wife Malar (36), and their children Radhika (8), Karthik (7) and Masiammal (3). They await their release certificates at the Revenue Divisional Office, following which they will be sent back to their homes.
Rehabilitation and documents such as an Aadhaar card and ration card, will be given to them.
A case has been filed against the owner of the rice mill under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976 and police are searching for him.
Kancheepuram district collector P Ponniah confirmed the news and said an inquiry will be held on Wednesday.
