Furnace of despair: Odisha's brick kiln workers caught in cycle of abuse & exploitation!

Concerns are mounting over accusations of exploitation at brick kilns in the Ganjam district. Reports suggest that workers, primarily hailing from nearby districts, are enduring harsh conditions and are being subjected to abuse.

Following these allegations, the Labour Department reportedly conducted raids on suspected kilns, resulting in the arrest of a brick kiln owner and the rescue of more than 18 labourers from  Baragaon village under the jurisdiction of Kotinada police station. 

Videos of these incidents have circulated widely online, drawing attention to the plight of the workers.

"We came to know about the exploitation of the workers by a brick kiln owner from our investigation at Baragaon village. With help from local police, we rescued the workers and arrested the owner," said Hrushikesh Rao, Assistant Labour Officer Asika.

Legal action and call for stringent enforcement

Local intellectuals are reportedly advocating for more stringent enforcement against these illegal operations, emphasising that such exploitation appears to be increasing. The workers, despite their hard efforts, find themselves trapped in cycles of abuse and economic exploitation.

Labour Department's intervention

Amid these growing reports, interventions by the authorities are becoming more frequent. Labour Department officials have taken steps to detain those responsible and provide relief to the affected workers, whose circumstances caught the public eye through viral videos on social media.

Workers are brought in from neighbouring areas and housed in unhygienic conditions, where they work tirelessly without adequate compensation. Moreover, many workers, under severe financial distress, end up borrowing money they cannot repay, further perpetuating their exploitation, informed sources.

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"Mainly, people from Western Odisha come here to work as brick kiln workers. They are getting exploited by the brick kiln owners due to inaction by the administration," said Surendranath Panda, a lawyer.

"Stern actions should be taken against persons carrying out illegal brick kiln activities and exploiting workers," said Bideshi Nahaka, a local intellectual.

The inaction shown by some officials in addressing these illegal activities is exacerbating the suffering of the workers, highlighting the need for more comprehensive administrative intervention.