shield arrow-simple-alt-top arrow-simple-alt-left arrow-simple-alt-right arrow-simple-alt-bottom facebook instagram linkedin medium pinterest rss search-alt twitter x video-play arrow-long-right arrow-long-left arrow-long-top arrow-long-bottom arrow-simple-right arrow-simple-left arrow-simple-bottom readio arrow-simple-top speaker-down plus minus cloud hb pin camera globe cart rotate star edit arrow-top arrow-right arrow-left arrow-bottom check search close square speaker-up speaker-mute return play pause love

Thirty-Three Freed from Rajasthan Brick Kiln, Including Children Forced to Work

Early last month, IJM Canada’s partner Jai Bhim Vikas Shikshan Sansthan (JVSS) helped authorities in western India liberate 33 people from exploitation at a brick kiln—ending eight months of abuse at the hands of a powerful owner.

This kiln owner was a well-connected and highly influential person in the community. He felt untouchable and used his power to exploit these eight families without fear of any consequences.

Every day, these families—including 16 minor children—were forced to make thousands of heavy clay bricks in the hots sun. The worksite conditions were fine at first, but the owner and his men steadily became more and more abusive. Soon, the families also could not access enough water, food or electricity to survive.

JBVSS heard about the families suffering at the kiln and alerted local authorities to rescue them. Some officials were not supportive of the case due to the owner’s reputation, but a Sub Divisional Magistrate agreed to visit the kiln and hear the truth from the victims.

On July 2, a small rescue team met the families at the kiln and heard their stories of abuse. Officials ultimately declined to classify the case as bonded labour, but did order the owner to pay the families their missing wages and provide transportation back to their hometowns.

Even though they did not see the owner arrested or get benefits legally owed to bonded labour survivors, the families in this case remained motivated. One survivor shared, “We will continue to fight until we get justice—no matter how hard it is.”

JBVSS have been encouraged by the survivors’ tenacity and will continue to fight for their rights in their home state and through the National Human Rights Committee. In the meantime, JBVSS will help the families resettle back at home and stay safer from labor exploitation in the long-term.

You might also be interested in…

see more

Newsletter Sign Up

Stay connected to the work! Sign up to get updates straight to your inbox.

Media Contact

We're here to answer your questions. Please fill out the form below and someone from our team will follow up with you soon.

Make an Impact

Your skills, talents, and ideas are a force for change. From birthday parties to polar dips, your fundraising campaign can stop the violence.

Learn More

Thank you for signing up to learn more about starting a fundraiser. We will be in touch soon!

In the meantime, please take a look at our free guide: 25 Tips for the Novice Fundraiser.

Need Help?

Need more information?
We're here to help.
Contact us at events@ijm.ca