Madhya Pradesh: 74 labourers rescued from bonded labour at Raisen brick kiln

BHOPAL: In a major crackdown on bonded labour, the Raisen district administration rescued 74 labourers from a brick kiln in Neem Kheda village after a two-day enquiry found evidence of coercion, wage denial and debt bondage.

The rescued include 21 families comprising men, women and children.The operation was carried out on February 20 under the supervision of Sub-Divisional Magistrate Manish Sharma, with assistance from local police. Officials said workers had complained of being forced to work for long hours under threat and were not allowed to leave the kiln premises.According to the enquiry report, labourers alleged they were prevented from attending family functions and festivals and were kept under constant supervision. Many said they had been trapped through advance payments taken from the kiln operators, which were later used to bind them to the workplace.Despite working extended hours, wages were allegedly below government-prescribed minimum rates. Workers claimed their accounts were manipulated, leading to mounting debts instead of repayment. Some alleged verbal abuse and physical intimidation at the site.Officials also found that families were living in temporary shelters lacking basic amenities such as sanitation, clean drinking water and adequate food.

Children were reportedly engaged in work alongside adults.On February 21, the rescued families were taken to the district hospital for medical examination and documentation procedures before being sent back to their native places. Authorities said 10 Release Certificates (RCs) have been issued so far under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, and the process is underway to provide certificates to all eligible individuals.Officials said FIRs will be registered against the kiln operators under relevant provisions of the Bonded Labour Act, IPC and child labour laws. The rescued labourers will receive initial financial assistance under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for rehabilitation of bonded labourers.District authorities said efforts are being made to link the families with welfare schemes, including housing, ration support, healthcare and school admissions for children, to prevent re-bondage.The rescue comes amid a state-wide campaign marking 50 years of the Bonded Labour Abolition Act, with officials stating that monitoring and enforcement efforts have been intensified across Madhya Pradesh.