Adivasi Solidarity Council (ASC) has been organising released bonded labourers into groups and simultaneously working with their communities in order to socially include them back into their societies. Various training and capacity building exercises help these individuals to get back into normalcy of life. These groups are mainly tribal rights based groups (sangas), which helps them to bond together. Such sangas are currently formed across the southern states In India.
In one such case, two proactive individuals Mr Gopi and Mr Murugesan (who were bonded laborers before) were identified and were provided leadership training. These two individuals along with ASC team began to work with other group members to understand their skill sets and started identifying their requirements for a proper livelihood. The group showed interest in setting up a brick making unit of their own. ASC provided small seed capital of Rs. 15,000 and other necessary support to set up the unit. Some money was pooled in by the group members from the money saved from their rehabilitation amount and back wages. Monetary support was also provided by the perspective buyers who needed bricks and were ready to give advance amount for such a noble cause. The local panchayat was also convinced to lease out a portion of land (at a minimal amount/village tax). With the land in place, the initial capital outlay to set up the unit came to about Rs. 1 lakh. Seven more families invested money to set up the unit.
This small kiln has been functioning now for two years. The labourers, from the Irula Tribal community, are able to earn on an average of Rs. 300/- per day. During the monsoon season not much activity happens and they opt for MGNREGA. The women folk have gotten involved with SHG related activities.
This collective initiative has helped the members to support their families and promote regular savings out of their earnings. These members do not allow any money-lenders or agents to enter into their village. With the prime leadership of Mr Gopi and Mr Murugesan , this Irula brick production unit is now successfully running with the whole hearted participation and hard-work of all its members belonging to same tribal Community.
Gopi, Murugesan and the others now have a voice in the panchayat. Since, they represent seventy votes in their village and are earning well, their status has risen. Gopi and Murugesan are also working as volunteers for ASC and thus helping others to be rescued from such exploitation and look for a better life ahead. By narrating their life story at various national platforms, they are helping advocacy organisations in fight against bondage to influence policy decisions.
In short, they are now role models for others individual trapped in this system of bondage.
level officials, including 20 police officers, from Wayanad district, Kerala, attended a one-day orientation workshop on the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, organised by National Adivasi Solidarity Council (NASC) with the coordination of Wayanad district administration on July 30, 2015.
Bandhua 1947 