Ten individuals including six children working as bonded labour in two brick kilns were rescued by Revenue Department officials from Vellore district on Wednesday.
They were rescued from brick kilns in Kaniyambadi near Vellore where they were working for meagre wages under stressful conditions. A Chennai-based NGO International Justice Mission alerted the Revenue officials at Vellore after receiving information on the condition of the workers.
Vellore Sub-Collector K. Meghraj arrived at the site on Wednesday morning and conducted inquiries with the workers and their families. The workers belonged to Vellore and neighbouring Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. One family had borrowed ₹50,000 from a brick kiln owner and another family ₹40,000 from another owner.
The workers narrated their harrowing experiences to the officials. A woman who had family planning operation done recently was asked to work for more than 12 hours per day without proper break. One family was in bondage for two years and another family for four years.
After confirming the details, 10 persons — two men, two women and six children (2- 12 years ), including an eight-month-old toddler were rescued. The District Administration moved them to the Sub-Collector’s office and issued the release orders later in the day. Efforts were on to nab the brick kiln owners, said Revenue officials.
