Bonded labour will also be tackled through the initiative launched by Stella Maris

In a move to mark World Day against trafficking in persons, the social work department of Stella Maris college launched the Coalition to End Human Trafficking, an alliance of varied political organisations and actors who joined together to raise awareness and end bonded labour and human trafficking.

The event was presided over by veteran Communist Party of India leader R. Nallakannu. “Since India attained freedom, the forms of bonded labour has increased. It is our duty as citizens to work on ground level and eradicate it,” he said.

Former MLA K. Balabharathi added that modern forms of slavery must also be brought to notice. “Several families today work in rice mills, for decades. Their freedom is restrained and their voices go unheard,” she said.

Director Ameer Sultan spoke about the various big retail outlets in the city, where workers were made to work for over 10 hours a day, despite lack of safety and poor working conditions. “But they have no option, they need to work to bring food on the table. Poverty is what leads to modern day slavery,” he said.

“The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, mandates strict action against violators, the State too has released several government orders to stop it. However, the implementation seems to be poor. We want to take this issue up across the State,” said Devaneyan, convenor of Thozhamai.