The Migration Story 176d ago

The Migration Story reports from Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat district brick kilns following an NCCEBL, Mehnatkash, and O.P. Jindal University's IDEAS survey of 950 "released" bonded labourers. It uncovers systemic failures under the 1976 Bonded Labour Act: 80% no FIRs filed, 63% denied interim aid post-rescue, rampant caste abuse, child labour, and an average Rs 32,514 wage theft among 93% migrant and 67% illiterate workers. Survivors Speak Out Surendra Kumar, 32, Sherpur village: beaten by goons with iron rods at Bilochpura kiln (25 km from home); rescued by police/district admin, FIR filed via NCCEBL's Nirmal, but awaits Labour Commissioner's action and release certificate for compensation. Jhony Kumar, 29, & pregnant Sheela, 28, Alawalpur: lured to Maa Bhagwati Brick Field (6 km away) with Rs 600/1000 bricks; slaved 4 months unpaid, survived on scraps/no water, brutalised for demanding wages. Owner Shubham Jain denies force: "They take advances, quit, and exploit laws."