Thirty-one people, including 12 children, were recently rescued from a brick kiln in Bagalur where they were kept in inhumane conditions and exploited as bonded labourers.
The labourers comprise eight families who are from Naupada and Nabrangpur districts of Odisha. Of the 12 minors, six, aged between six and 13, were working in the brick kiln.
They were rescued after a raid by the district administration and Bagalur police.
They had been brought to the city around eight months ago by middlemen who had given them an advance of ₹18,000. Once they reached Bengaluru, through coercion, threat and violence, they were made to work for over 12 hours every day. They were paid just ₹42 a day, which is less than a sixth of the minimum wage mandated in the State, said International Justice Mission, which aided with the rescue, in a release.
A 21-year-old labourer, who was trafficked along with his wife and sister, alleged that when they sought permission to go back to Odisha, the owner threatened to rape the women if they tried to leave.
Bagalur police have registered a case under Section 370 (trafficking of persons) of the Indian Penal Code, Bonded Labour (Abolition) Act, 1976 and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016.
