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12 Released From Brick Kiln Slavery in India
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Friday, 04 April 2008

BANGALORE, INDIA - IJM has assisted the local Bangalore government in a surprise raid of a brick kiln, freeing several slaves held there. The kiln owners had trafficked 12 laborers and their families, including small children, across state lines and enslaved them in the abusive working conditions of the kiln. As is common in the practice of modern-day slavery, the owners and operators of the kiln had lured the victims to the kiln with promise of cash advances, regular wages and housing.

All of [the laborers] have taken good beatings from me here.
– Brick kiln owner,
during IJM investigation
During IJM’s investigation of the kiln, the owner boasted to IJM agents of his violent control over the victims: “If you don’t beat them they don’t work at all. … Then I beat them and made them work. Now they are working very nicely. . . . All of them have taken good beatings from me here. I only beat them.”

Now, all 12 victims of the kiln’s forced labor system have been declared free and have received their official Release Certificates from the local government. These certificates provide for vital financial assistance from the government as the workers transition to sustainable, secure employment.

Three days after their release, the former victims, accompanied by IJM social workers and lawyers, began the long journey by train back to their homes, several hundred miles away. There, IJM will work with the local authorities and other social work partners to ensure that the victims are well-supported on their challenging road to independence.

The police have welcomed the criminal complaint filed against the owner and his enforcers. IJM will continue to monitor and pursue the criminal proceedings against the owners and operators of the brick kiln.
 
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