Dist offi cials ensured that employer paid dues before the group caught a train back to Chhattisgarh from Nagpur; they had earlier complained of no salary, scant freedom of movement for many months
After a wait of many long months, a group of beleaguered migrant workers from Chhattisgarh — who had desperately broadcast that they were being held as bonded labour at a jaggery factory in
Their return journey was facilitated after the intervention of
Late on Thursday night, the migrant workers, including men, women and their children, left by road for Nagpur railway station and reached there on Friday afternoon. They managed to board a train back to Chhattisgarh on Friday evening. “We had thought we would never be able to go home. However, senior officials came to our rescue at the right time — now, we are free,” said migrant worker Veernarayan Vishwakarma from Nagpur railway station, even as his group waited anxiously for their train to arrive.
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Mirror had on October 29 published a report about the claims of the migrants that they were not being paid by the jaggery factory employer, nor being allowed to return to their state by supervisors.
Based on a video that the workers sent to some
On the very same day, Pune district collector Rajesh Deshmukh ordered the sub divisional officer (SDO) and
Government labour officer Gajanan Borse revealed, “After we raided the factory, we checked the salary records of the employer. Based on statements given by workers and the employer about salary payment, the employer was instructed to pay the workers as per minimum wages for days they had worked at the factory. The employer paid all of them in cash and the issue was settled on the spot.”
District officials also stated that they instructed employer Akshay Gaikwad to arrange for transportation of these workers to go back to their home state. Daund tehsildar Sanjay Patil added, “Based on the instructions of SDO Pramod Gaikwad, the employer arranged for the same vehicle in which he had got these workers to his factory from Chhattisgarh. He was asked to facilitate their journey from Daund to Nagpur by road; from there, they were to board a train to return home.”
Asked if the administration will take action against the employer based on the workers’ complaint, Patil said, “We have recorded the statements of the workers. As far as the nonpayment of salaries is considered, the employer has now paid off all dues after our visit. Now, we need to find out if it was the case of bonded labour. As per the employer’s statement, the workers were not being kept hostage inside the premises and were allowed to even step out on a regular basis. After taking some legal opinions, a detailed report will be submitted to the district collector. On his instructions, further action will be taken.”
Meanwhile, the workers were happy to take the return journey to their home. Veernarayan added, “For the last few months, we were working without pay and trapped away from our home. Some of us were even beaten by the employer’s men. We were desperately trying to get in touch with many people to help us out — finally our voice was heard.”
He summed up, “There was a time when we pleaded with our employer to let us go even without the salaries. Today, thanks to the help of officials, we are not only going home, but have also got our pay.”
