Bonded Labourers In Brick Kilns Slowly Learn They Have Rights
by The Daily Eye Team March 23 2016, 2:00 pm Estimated Reading Time: 0 mins, 30 secsThousands of brick kiln workers in Maharashtra are learning from activists that they have the right to a minimum wage, basic amenities and fair treatment - but remain in debt bondage to owners who deny them these rights with impunity.
The workers are largely landless Adivasitribals who are forced to work at the kilns for half the year to pay off their debt. Entire families may work up to 14 hours a day for low or no wages, few amenities, no days off, and with no idea of how much money they still owe, activists said.