Bonded labour

This refers to the article (editorial page, “Building blocks of servitude,” June 19) that highlights the reality of crores of people in India who are trapped in bonded labour. A team of us lawyers and social workers began focussing on bonded labour in 2001. Our first-hand experience can confirm the grim situation as reported in the article. Many bonded labourers in brick kilns are migratory labourers from vulnerable castes or tribes.

Without a sufficient social safety net, freed labourers are susceptible to the same traps that initially locked them into a cycle of endless servitude. It is only when India’s leaders make a firm commitment to ending the shameful practice of bonded labour that everyone can celebrate the great cities and economic marvels of a rising India.

Andy Griffiths,

Chennai