A 32-year-old Dalit woman was “rescued” from a house in Ponnampet, Kodagu, near here amid complaints that she was subjected to bonded labour.
Shanta, a native of Thirunelli in Mananthavady taluk of Kerala, had reportedly been working at the house of C.M. Ramesha, who runs a pig farm in Ponnampet, for more than 15 years.
Earlier this month, a team of Kerala government officials accompanied by representatives of Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD), a Kerala-based NGO, arrived in Ponnampet and, with the assistance of Assistant Commissioner of Madikeri Nanjunde Gowda and Revenue Department officials, went to the house of her employer on February 9 and secured her release.
She was later sent to her native with her mother Kurumathi, said officials in Madikeri.
Mr. Gowda, however, said Shantha was not subjected to bonded labour. She herself claimed that she was receiving ₹3,000 per month, besides food and accommodation. Besides, the employers had gifted her “a small gold chain”. Her father Kuruman was in favour of Shantha continuing work in the same house, while her mother was not.
“But, a case can be taken up under Minimum Wages Act,” he said.
Complaint filed
Meanwhile, Krishnan, founder of FSD and National Adivasi Solidarity Council, told The Hindu that FSD took up Shantha’s case only after her sister approached them stating that they had not seen her for several years. Hence, a complaint was lodged with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate in Mananthavadi.
Dr. Krishnan contended that it was a case of bonded labour as per the National Human Rights Commission guidelines based on a Supreme Court ruling. “If the victim is denied minimum wages, and restricted freedom of movement and employment, it is a case of bonded labour as per the guidelines,” he said.
The burden of providing proof rests on the perpetrator and not on the victim as per the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act.
The victim will be filing a complaint in Kerala against not only bonded labour, but also under sections of Inter-State Migrant Act, he said.
