A Media Roundtable organised by International Justice Mission (IJM) in May 2015 helped strengthen ties with journalists who cover the issue of bonded labour. It was also a great start to a conversation with media persons on the issue. While experts shared their thoughts on bonded labour and migration, the journalists talked from their experience in covering the issue, making special reference to bonded labour in silica mines in Rajasthan and to Bedia women who are forced into commercial sex work.
The closed door discussion between a few journalists and civil society on the topic “Inclusive Development: A Conversation on Migrant and Bonded Labour” took place in New Delhi on May 9, 2015. The small gathering was attended by two media persons from IANS and Tehelka and experts –Umi Daniel (Aide-et-Action) and Shantanu Dutta (International Justice Mission). Vipul Mudgal (Common Cause/Inclusive Media for Change) moderated the discussion.
Mr. Mudgal started the conversation by talking about the issue of distress migration for labour being bigger than immediately gauged, and stated that there were no proper numbers available. He said that mass distress migration for labour, that is changing the rural nightmare of displacement, labour, malnutrition, poverty, abuse and bonded labour into an urban nightmare, stems from the agrarian crisis. In his work, he has found a deep connection between the two as there is a direct continuum of the issues.
Talking about migrant labour issues in Odisha, Mr. Daniel made reference to the December 2013 case of two migrant workers Dayalu and Nilambar whose hands were chopped off by their traffickers. He said that the number of internal migrant labourers was roughly put at 31 crore, but stressed that there is a need to get more accurate information. He said he was concerned that district-level officials are not adequately trained or made aware about bonded labour, leading to their apathy and inability to do something concrete.
Dr. Dutta said that people should be allowed to migrate to seek out better opportunities of livelihood, but not at the cost of being abused or ending up in bonded labour. He said that while the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, is weak in many areas, what makes it weaker is that it is not being implemented as it should be. He spoke about perpetrator accountability being one of the important aspects of what is done at IJM. “We need everyone’s consolidated support to bring this aspect to light. This will enable us to speak up for these laws to be enforced and implemented so that migration for labour purposes can happen in a controlled and non- exploitative manner,” he said.
IJM hopes to continue engaging with these journalists who have a heart to cover the issue on the field.
Bandhua 1947 