Brick kiln owners found exploiting migrant labourers to the hilt

Authorities launch drive against brick kilns following death of two migrant labourers, at Andugulapalli village.

The Karimnagar district labour department along with the revenue officials have launched the inspection of brick kilns in Peddapalli revenue division on Tuesday.

Inspections are being conducted under the supervision of Karimnagar Deputy Labour Commissioner A Gandhi and the other assistant labour commissioners, revenue officials of the Peddapalli division.

The authorities launched special drive against brick kilns following the death of two migrant labourers at Andugulapalli village of Basanthnagar police station limits, while trying to escape following alleged harassment and ill-treatment by the brick kiln owner. During the inspections, the authorities have found several flaws by the brick kiln owners and flouting of Inter-State Migration Act and other labour laws.

The authorities have found that the brick kiln owners have not maintained proper records about the wages being paid to the migrant labourers of Odisha State. It was also observed that the gullible poor migrant labourers were forced to live in unhygienic accommodation without proper ventilation. There were also no proper facilities such as drinking water besides wash rooms for women. The migrant labourers were not registered as beneficiaries under the Building and Other Constructions Workers Act and they were forced to work for long hours with paltry wages.

The authorities have also found that the children of migrant labourers were also engaged in the brick industry doing odd jobs against the norms.

There was no worksite school for the children of migrant labourers at any of the brick kiln inspected by the authorities on Tuesday. Deputy Labour Commissioner Gandhi said that the inspections of brick kilns would continue even on Wednesday in the Peddapalli division. He said that they would prepare a comprehensive report and submit the same to the district administration for taking necessary action against the brick kiln owners for violating of various labour laws.

Authorities launch drive against brick kilns following death of two migrant labourers, at Andugulapalli village