Migrant workers claim to be hostages without pay at jaggery factory

Close on the heels of a tragic few months for migrant labour amid the ongoing health crisis, it appears that even as the pandemic eases somewhat, the troubles of this demographic just do not seem to end.

In a fresh shocker, a group of around 25 workers from Chhattisgarh, including both men and women, have alleged that they are stuck on the premises of a jaggery factory in Daund, some 80 km from Pune, where they are being physically abused and mentally tortured by being left unpaid for months.

It was in the hope of a good salary after a difficult year that these workers boarded buses from their state, they claimed, and landed at the Padvi village to work at the jaggery factory. But now, all they want to do is go back to their native place, alleging that not only has their employer failed to pay them, but his men thrash them badly when they say they wish to return.

Their claims came to light after the group shared a video with some social workers back in their state and in Rajasthan, narrating their experience.

After the latter made an appeal to help the workers on social media, a Mirror team visited the spot and spoke to some workers, who managed to slip out of the factory premises on Wednesday.

The workers have been at the factory in Padvi, 80 km from Pune, for some months; they claim they are not allowed to step out together, with family members forced to stay behind as assurance that they won’t run off

Breaking down about the ordeal, Leelavati Vishwakarma, one of the workers here said, “We cannot even step out with all our kin. If anyone wants to go out, some family members have to remain inside to assure supervisors that we will not run away.”

The workers also showed the Mirror team video evidence of a brawl between them and the supervisors, which took place on Wednesday morning. In the clip, the two sides can be seen having a heated argument just after a physical fight. Some people appeared to be mediating, trying to pacify both groups.

They said that the jaggery factory, situated on barren land some 2 km from Padvi, is owned by one Akshay Gaikwad. According to them, they were solicited in Chhattisgarh by some middlemen and then brought here in buses to work.

“With no jobs due to the lockdown, we were looking for some opportunity, when a few contractors approached us and asked us to come to Pune. They assured us Rs 12,000 per month and arranged transport for us to travel. We thought it was decent money and boarded the buses. But after coming to Pune, all our expectations were shattered and didn’t get the promised pay,” alleged Virnarayan Vishwakarma, another worker.

A few said they have been working here since three or four months, but the employer has not given them a single salary till date. “Some workers came four months ago and others joined two months ago, but all remain unpaid. We are only given money to buy a week’s ration and made to work daily for over 12 hours,” added Leelavati.

The group, which also includes some small children with their families, claimed that since they are not getting the assured salary, they want to go back to their home state — but their employer’s men refuse to let them quit. “We waited for salaries but even after working for months, when we did not get it, we told the supervisors that we want to leave and asked them to clear our dues. Instead, they beat us for talk of going home,” said Suraj Vishwakarma, another worker from the same group.

The labourers stated that they are desperately trying to contact various authorities and social workers to seek help to get them out of the factory. “We need help to escape. We have tried our best to reach out to the authorities but as we are constantly under watch, we are not able to. We somehow managed to contact some social activists from our state and narrated the issue to them through a video. We hope the authorities will hear our pleas and aid us,” lamented Virnarayan.

One of the human rights activists from Rajasthan that this group got in touch with took to social media to highlight the issue. The activist said, “They are located in some remote area where it is difficult for them to get help. When I spoke to them, they said they are being constantly pressured by their employer’s men not to complain anywhere. Through social media, I want to appeal to the district collector, police and other relevant authorities to rescue these workers before it is too late.”

But when contacted about all these accusations, factory owner Gaikwad refuted, “I have given an advance payment to each worker while recruiting them. Hence, I do not have to pay them any more amount as a salary.”

Asked about the allegations that they are not being allowed to go home and were beaten up by supervisors, he said, “In the morning, there was some brawl between the workers and supervisors, which was later sorted out. From our side, we have not stopped anyone from leaving the job. If they want to go home, we are ready to release them with immediate effect.”

About this matter, superintendent of police (SPPune rural) Abhinav Deshmukh said, “I will send a team of local police to the factory for inspection and the necessary action will be taken.”

Despite repeated attempts to reach Pune district collector Rajesh Deshmukh, he was not available for comment.