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SHRAMAVAHINI

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Mission

Empower survivors to take the lead in eradicating bondage in their communities.

Vision

At Shramavahini, we envision a world where no one is trapped in bonded labour, where survivors are at the forefront of change, and where justice, dignity, and freedom are accessible to all. We are building a movement led by those who have survived bonded labour, and together, we will bring an end to this crime.

WHAT WE DO

Empowering Survivors – Eradicating Bondage

At Shramavahini, we are a survivor-led organisation committed to the total eradication of bonded labour in Odisha. Our mission is to break the chains of bonded labour by empowering those who have endured it and preventing future generations from falling into the same trap. Our work revolves around three key pillars:

Active Reporting of Bonded Labour

Shramavahini facilitates the reporting of bonded labour incidents across Odisha and India. We work closely with local communities and survivors to identify cases of bonded labour, ensuring that no instance goes unnoticed. By creating safe and anonymous channels for reporting, we aim to bring these hidden crimes to light and ensure prompt government action.

Connecting Victims with Government Authorities

Our organization serves as a vital link between victims and government authorities, ensuring that every case of bonded labour is met with swift and effective intervention. We work to ensure that victims are not only rescued but also supported through rehabilitation programs, and resettlement efforts. Our team of dedicated survivor advocates is always on hand to help victims navigate government systems and receive the protection and care they deserve.

Ensuring Entitlements to Prevent Further Bondage

Breaking free from bondage is only the first step; ensuring that survivors receive their rightful entitlements is essential to preventing further exploitation. Shramavahini fights for the rights of survivors, helping them secure government-issued benefits such as release certificates rehabilitation packages, housing, education, and employment opportunities. By empowering survivors to reclaim their dignity and independence, we aim to create a future free from bonded labour.

UNDERSTANDING BONDED LABOUR

The problem of bonded labour in Odisha is a serious issue, especially in its rural and economically marginalized regions. Despite legal frameworks like the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act of 1976, bonded labour remains entrenched in certain sectors, particularly in informal and unregulated industries. Odisha has been identified as one of the states in India with a high prevalence of bonded labour, largely due to factors such as poverty, lack of awareness, and social marginal

Key Factors Contributing to Bonded Labour in Odisha

Widespread Poverty

Many regions in Odisha, particularly the western and southern parts, face chronic poverty. Poor and vulnerable communities, especially from Scheduled Castes (Dalits) and Scheduled Tribes (Adivasis), are often forced into debt by moneylenders or landlords. When they are unable to repay, they are coerced into bonded labour to “work off” the debt, a process that can extend across generations.

Agricultural Bondage

Odisha’s agricultural sector has long been a breeding ground for bonded labour. Small and marginal farmers, who lack access to formal credit systems, often take loans from local landlords. In return, they are forced to work on the landlord’s land for little or no wages, trapped by mounting debts that they can never fully repay.

Migration and Labour Exploitation

Due to poverty and limited local job opportunities, a significant portion of Odisha’s population migrates to other states for work. Many of these migrant workers fall prey to traffickers or agents who promise good jobs but instead subject them to exploitative conditions, including bonded labour in brick kilns, construction sites, and other industries in places like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. Migrants are particularly vulnerable to exploitation because they are isolated, lack legal protection in other states, and may not speak the local language.

Brick Kilns and Construction Sites

Odisha is one of the key supplier states for bonded labourers in the brick kiln industry. Labourers, including entire families, are trafficked to work under harsh, exploitative conditions in brick kilns outside the state. Often, labour contractors provide an advance payment (referred to as a loan or “peshgi”), which binds the workers to years of unpaid or poorly paid work.

Caste-Based Exploitation

Caste-based discrimination plays a crucial role in perpetuating bonded labour in Odisha. Dalit and Adivasi communities, which have historically been marginalized, are more vulnerable to economic exploitation and are disproportionately represented among bonded labourers.

Lack of Awareness and Enforcement

Despite legal protections, many bonded labourers in Odisha are unaware of their rights under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act of 1976. The implementation of the law remains weak due to poor enforcement, lack of resources, and inadequate training of officials. Even when rescued, labourers often lack adequate rehabilitation and support, which leads to re-bondage.

TRAFFICKING OF BONDED LABOURERS

Trafficking of bonded labourers refers to the illegal practice of coercing individuals into labour under exploitative conditions, often through debt bondage. In this system, people are forced to work for little or no pay to repay a debt, but the terms are usually manipulated so they can never fully repay it, keeping them trapped. Traffickers often target vulnerable populations, such as the poor, migrants, or marginalized communities, and transport them to different regions or states under false promises of jobs or better opportunities.

This form of exploitation thrives in hidden settings like brick kilns, agricultural fields, mines, and factories, making it harder to detect. Victims of bonded labour trafficking experience physical abuse, mental trauma, and severe restrictions on their freedom of movement. Despite laws like the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act of 1976 in India, this form of trafficking continues to exist in many regions, often going unnoticed or underreported.

Combating this crime requires coordinated efforts between law enforcement, NGOs, and local communities. Public awareness campaigns, legal aid, rescue operations, and rehabilitation programs are key to breaking the cycle of bonded labour trafficking.

Specific Sectors Affected by Bonded Labour in Odisha

Brick Kilns: One of the largest sectors where bonded labour from Odisha is employed. Workers are often trafficked to states like Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Agriculture: Traditional bondage practices still exist in agriculture, particularly in western Odisha.

Mining: Mining operations in Odisha also face scrutiny for using exploitative labour practices, though less well-documented than other sectors.

Construction: Many of Odisha’s bonded labourers end up working in construction, often in dangerous and underpaid conditions.

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