(Bonded Labour Liberation Front)

Its Establishment

Against the backdrop of pervading atrocities on bonded labourers mostly migrants in stone quarries, Faridabad by lease holders and their contractors, a true picture of laws of jungle, Bandhua Mukti Morcha was established under the stewardship of Swami Agnivesh in 1981. A clarion call was given to fight against this abominable system.

Legal Status

It is a voluntary organization registered under Society Act of 1860. Its Registration No. is S/26763/94. It is also registered with Ministry of Home Affairs for Foreign Contribution Regulation Act.

A twenty five years of struggle

Right from its inception, BMM (BLLF) has been struggling very hard to combat this menace. The magnitude of this issue may be well imagined as captains of Industries and services have not only muscles power but they enjoy political clout in the corridors of power. To combat all these, BMM (BLLF) had to adopt a multi pronged strategy which it continues to follow unrelentingly. However in this course of time, new modalities were adopted to cause dent on this issue. These are outlined as under:

1. To identify bonded labour in various sectors of economy, their release and rehabilitation. BMM adopted a two told method i.e. direct intervention and through courts.

2. To address the related issues i.e.

(i) free and compulsory education elementary to all children upto the age of 14. (ii) Implementation of prescribed minimum wage rigidly. (iii) Introduction of National Minimum Wage. It should be equivalent to first day salary of new entrant class IV employee of the Govt. (iv) Provision of one kg of cereals to all poor children for each day of schooling as a measure of food security to the poor family.

3. To carry out awareness campaign against this abominable system in the areas having predominance of bonded labour and child labour.

4. To organize Regional and National seminar on bonded labour and child labour to highlight the plight of this poor lot and to design measures to mitigate their abject condition.

Some Important achievements

It will be of interest to mention our achievements and persistent efforts being made in this direction.

1. Against all odds, Bandhua Mukti Morcha (BLLF) has achieved the release of over 1,76,000 bonded Indians from the shackles of slavery. Of these, about 26000 were children. A large number of them have been rehabilitated. From the Carpet Industry alone, about 10,000 children mostly migrants were rescued and sent back home.

2. BMM set up 10 non-formal education centres for child labour in stone quarries Faridabad (8 nos.) and in brick kilns (2 nos) Meerut Distt., with financial aid from ILO/IPEC and other funding agencies. Another one has been set up in Garhi (slum area) East of Kailash, South Delhi with aid from individual donors.

3. Another unique venture of BMM is that of providing vocational training skills and basic education/literacy to ex-bonded child labour at Dayanand Shilp Vidyalaya, Gurukul Indraprastha, Faridabad. Two batches comprising 65 child trainees have passed out successfully.

They had undergone one year training in two trades i.e. tailoring and carpentry combined with training in education/literacy, yoga and spiritual development.

This programme has been appreciated both by foreign and Indian dignitaries. It has completely transformed these trainees and now they feel confident to open a new vista of life for themselves and their families, a dignified life.

Awards

" Anti Slavery International Award - London, 1990

Regional & National Seminar on Bonded and Child Labour

For the second time a South Asian Seminar on Bonded Child Labour was organised in New Delhi - 30th Nov. - 1st Dec. 1996. Delegates from Pakistan, Nepal, India, Bangla Desh and Sri Lanka participated. It was a landmark in the quest for solidarity among the NGOs of South Asia on this vital issue. The mission heads in Delhi also participated. A Delhi statement by the people of South Asia on the elimination of child labour was issued.

A National seminar on bonded labour is a regular annual feature. Of greater importance was the 2 day seminar held on 21-22 Aug. 1988. This was preceded by a protest fast by child labourers at Rajghat on 13th Aug. 1998 on the eve of 51st Independence Day. The fast was to protest against inhuman exploitation of children deprived of fundamental rights to childhood education, health care etc.

In the evening the President of India Mr. K. R. Narayanan invited all the fasting chidren to his Presidential Palace (Rastrapati Bhawan) offered them sweets. He not only accepted their memorandum but in a rare gesture of compassion he and his wife the first lady mingled with the children. Two days later, on 15th Aug. 1998, while delivering the historic speech before the joint sitting of Indian Parliament on the conclusion of the golden jubilee celebration of India's Independence he made special mention of the cause of child labour and his Govt.'s pledge to abolish it.

Awareness Marches

A special programme of awareness generation among people was undertaken in the areas having predominance of child labouers was carried out in the states of UP, Maharastra and Karnataka. It comprised long marches, holding of meetings enroutes, both during day time at important places and at evening at halting places. Wall writings, pasting of posters, distribution of hand bills and stickers were also done. About 4 thousand to 5 thousand kms were covered during these marches. Local MLAs, MPs and other distinguished people addressed the audience. This programme created a good impact, not only on parents and people, but the respective local administration was also sensitized.

Mazdoor Vani

After persistent efforts, BMM has been able to get a slot for broadcasting information about rights of labourers, wage rates, etc. with All India Radio. This programme has been inforce for the last 10 months. The unorganized labourers are being benefited in the terms of wage rates prescribed by the Government.

Legal Action

Apart from direct action through persuasion and pressure, BMM has successfully fought legal battles in Courts including Supreme Courts for liberation of bonded labour and their subsequent rehabilitation. In the case of stone quarry workers in Faridabad, a long legal battle has emerged. It was started in the year 1982, yet it is going on. It now hinges on provision of houses to ex-bonded labourers. Under the direction of the Supreme Court, a piece of land has been earmarked by the local administration for this purpose.

Now, we have to pursue the cases of bonded and child labour, with the National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi for their liberation, and rehabilitation and payment of due wages. This channel for legal action in respect of bonded and child labour has proved speedy and effective.

The nature of these issues is such that without legal action, justice cannot be delivered.

Organisational structure and Human Resources

BMM is a voluntary registered organization with a democratic set up. There are 15 members of the standing committee. These members are will known social activists. Its official functionaries are Chairperson, General Secreary and Treasury. BMM has its own secretariat including professionals and field staff (teachers, activists etc.) In all 50 persons are on effective role to execute its activities and projects. They have developed ethics of zeal and dedication to the holistic cause of bonded and child labour. Depending upon the nature of the project, additional staff is recruited to meet the requirements.

Further, the registered office is located at Central Place, 7 Jantar Mantar Road, New Delhi - 110 001 and easy to approach. Logistically, it is reasonably equipped, having computers, fax machines and a number of telephones.