Berhampur (Odisha): As many as 34 brick kiln workers, including 15 women were rescued by labour officials in Ganjam district for the alleged inhumane treatment meted out to them, official sources said on Monday.
The rescue operation was carried out on Saturday by the assistant labour officer Bhanjanagar, with the help of the police following a government directive, the sources said.
The rescued labourers from Bramhanamala of Baragarh district were working in the kiln at Chadheipalli village under Bhanjanagar police station limit since last month. Their seven children were also rescued from the site although the kids did not work in the kiln, the sources said.
“All the rescued labourers were sent back to their own village after being rescued,” assistant labour commissioner (ALC), Berhampur, Nilambar Mishal, said.
The government had directed officials to rescue the labourers when one of them complained before the district administration in Baragarh that his fellow labourers were not provided with adequate food and proper shelter, forcing them to live in inhuman conditions. He also complained that they were paid less amount and were not provided treatment when they fell ill, the sources said.
“Preliminary investigation, however, showed that the rescued labourers had received their payments,” assistant labour officer, Bhanjanagar Brundaban Sethi, said.
The brick-kiln owner had recruited them from their village for working in the kiln one month ago. He had also paid some advances to the workers before the commencement of work, he said.
Detail report from the district labour officer (DLO) was yet to reach. Action would be initiated against the brick kiln owner if he was found violating provisions of the labour laws, the ALC said.