For the workers of Balaji Agarbatti Factory, it was a gruelling routine from the day they landed here. They worked from dawn to past midnight, with short breaks for breakfast and lunch. “We ate rice and watery cabbage sambhar that even pigs wouldn’t eat,” said Sakhicharan Soren from West Bengal.
“I worked in a tea plantation for Rs. 120 per day and was promised Rs. 7,500 here with stay and food. I thought I can save and send money back home,” said Rajesh Thathi from Assam. Panchau Kujur, also from West Bengal, said they had stayed in the hope of getting the salary as a lump sum despite the maarpeet (alleged beating by the employer) and confinement.
“We were beaten even if spoke much to each other,” he said. “We came with hopes, but going back empty handed,” said Devnath Porja from Assam. All the workers hope that they get back wages for the work they did in the factory and the compensation of Rs. 50,000 they are entitled to from the government (their native State and Centre) as freed bonded labourers.
