Check out CNN's coverage of bonded labourers in a brick kiln in the State of Uttar Pradesh, in North India. The system of giving an advance to a labourer, then having them come work for you to pay it off is common and legal in India, it's only when the element of force is introduced that it becomes an abuse of human rights and a punishable criminal offense. From owners forcibly returning escaped labourers to the kiln, to paying below minimum wage (As little as 11 rupees a day! ~$.25) to using beatings as a means of intimidation...CNN really does the issue justice. (About 5 minutes long.)
I love the irony of the supervisor's demand to be paid for giving a brief interview to the reporter, yet is guilty of withholding wages from the labourers. Typical.
My only addition to this report would be that often labourers have repaid the loan multiple times over but aren't aware because the principle/interest payments are withheld from the workers wages, and most labourers only have a couple years of schooling behind them so they are unable to calculate their payments.
Minimum daily wage* for an unskilled brick maker is 151 rupees ($3.35) in Uttar Pradesh, which means Durgawati, her husband and daughter should have been able to pay off her 1,000 Rupee loan within 3 days with both parents working. Instead they've been working 6 days a week for the past two months with no idea they have repaid the debt 17 times over. A 8000 rupee debt could be repaid within two months, instead of years...
Please join me in praying for India's modern slaves, that the rule of law would be strengthened in India so these labourers could access the legal protection from exploitation due them.
Thank you CNN for raising awareness through your thoughtful work on this issue!
*http://www.paycheck.in/main/officialminimumwages/uttar-pradesh
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If the video doesn't work you can also view it here:
http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/08/generations-pay-off-debts-through-slavery/
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