Government of Tamil Nadu celebrated freedom of bonded Labourers at Kalaivanar Arangam

• Released bonded labourers from different districts of Tamil Nadu  participated in this event.
• This event is organized to thank the Tamil Nadu government for their proactive response in rescuing bonded labourers from various districts across the State.  

Chennai, October 16, 2019: Even after 44 years since the enactment of The Bonded Labour System (Abolition Act) 1976, the existence of Bonded labour system in our country is a tragedy. In the year 2016, the then central labour minister proclaimed in the parliament that within the year 2030 the central government will rehabilitate 1 crore 84 lakhs bonded labourers across India.

(L to R) Kuppamma, Freed Labourer; Daniel: Vidya Sagar; IJM South Asia Representative, Hon’ble Minister Ma.Foi.Pandiarajan; IJM International Representative; IJM Chennai Representative; IJM Govt Relations Kuralamuthan

Section2 of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition Act) 1976,states that if a person is made to forfeit his right to minimum wage, right to move freely, right to sell his goods/services or his freedom of employment in lieu of an advance or a social obligation, he is a bonded labourer.

International justice mission is a global organization working along side with the government of Tamil Nadu. TN government is a forerunner in combating the bonded labour system. The Tamil Nadu government has appointed a state-level officer to combat bonded labour system and published aState Action Plan, issued Standard Operating Procedures and many other plans with an intention to make Tail Nadu abonded labour free state.

Members of the Released Bonded Labourers Association across Tamil Nadu who have been rehabilitated by the government of Tamil Nadu are celebrated their freedom on 16 Oct 2019 at Kalaivanar Arangam. Released bonded labourers from different districts of Tamil Nadu  participated in this event. This event is organized to thank the Tamil Nadu government for their proactive response in rescuing bonded labourers from various districts across the State.

We request the Tamil Nadu government to fasten its action to combat bonded labour. A survey must be conducted to find the total number of bonded labourers across Tamil Nadu and we request the government declare and pass a Government Order declaring Feb 9^th- the day on which bonded labour act came into implementation as Anti Bonded Labour day.

Hon’ble Minister Ma.Foi.Pandiarajan distributing prizes at the event

IJM will support the government for all its swift actions to eradicate the bonded labour system across Tamil Nadu and we will continue working alongside the Tamil Nadu government.

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