“We will make Tamil Nadu free of bonded labour,” said Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, while addressing a gathering at an event on Wednesday. The event was organised by the International Justice Mission (IJM) to recognise and celebrate the freedom of released bonded labourers across Tamil Nadu.
“Bonded labour is an oppressive form of forced labour where labourers end up living their lives in extreme poverty and suffering to compensate for the debt taken from employers. While the situation in Tamil Nadu is better than other States, we are working on making it free from bonded labour,” said the Minister.
He added that the State has provided a sum of ₹49 lakh as immediate relief to over 100 rescued bonded labourers and their families.
The Minister also spoke about the various welfare schemes available in the State to protect the rights of the poor and the oppressed and that they will soon be providing them with adequate shelter.
Between 2016-2018, the State government has rescued more than 1500 bonded labourers, in 2016, IJM worked with the government to rescue 1,018 bonded labourers of which 81 were from Tamil Nadu.
“We are extremely thankful to the State for supporting us in our work and we will continue to work in the best interest of the people,” said Merin Freeda, director of IJM.
