PUNE: After getting information from social organisations, the Pune district administration on Friday rescued 17 bonded labourers including three minor boys from a jaggery making unit in Alegaon Paga, about 60 km from Pune in Shirur taluka. The labourers include 11 men, three minor boys and three women.
After being released, they said the contractor had forced them to work for several hours, day and night, without paying them adequate wages.
They were also prevented from leaving the place. After recording their statements, the labourers were sent to their native place in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh.
Rashtriya Bandhua Mukti Morcha, a Lucknow-based organisation received information about the bonded labourers.
They passed information to officials from Angmehnati Kashtkari Panchayat and Hamal Panchayat, based in Pune.
Later they approached the district administration and a team under guidance of Resident Naib Tehsildar Shrishail Vhate swooped down on the jaggery unit and rescued the labourers.
According to officials, contractor Mohammad Dawood brought the labourers here two months ago.
Since then they were confined and made to work for long hours.
Nitin Pawar of Angmehnati Kashtkari Panchayat said the police must take strong action against those who kept the labourers bonded. “It is sad that in 21st century also labourers have to work in such conditions.
The administration must launch a drive to rescue such labourers,” he added.
