Chennai: The Maduranthagam Vigilance Committee inspected a work site and rescued seven bonded labourers from a woodcutting unit in the district on Monday. Seven labourers, five men and two women, were rescued after seven years in bondage.

Prakash Rao, a member of the vigilance committee, and some former bonded labourers conducted a surprise inspection on the worksite, rescuing two couples and a teenage boy. Each family had received an advance of Rs 2,000 from woodcutting unit owner Sumithra Venkatesh who also paid each labourer a menial wage of Rs 20 per day. The weekly wages was Rs 140 each.





Sumithra has been arrested and a case has been filed according to the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976. The rescued labourers await their release certificates at the revenue divisional office, following which they will be sent back to their hometowns.

“Rehabilitation and other important necessities like an Aadhaar card and ration card will be given with the assistance of the vigilance committee, said V. Prakash Rao, adding that the committee will set up a bank account for all seven and deposit an amount of Rs 20,000 each to help rehabilitate them.