KOLAR: The district administration rescued 44 persons, including six child workers from a brick factory in Lakkur of Malur Taluk, near here, on Thursday. All the rescued workers are from Odisha.
The deputy commissioner instructed the assistant commissioner Manjunath to conduct a detailed enquiry on whether the rescued persons were being treated in the factory as bonded labourers.
According to Kolar deputy commissioner K V Thrilok Chandra, Odisha's Balangir district administration had requested the state chief secretary to rescue the workers who were reportedly not allowed to return back to their homes by their employer.
The raid was conducted by assistant commissioner Manjunath along with revenue and labour officers.
Manjunath said they conducted the raid at MBW Brick Factory belonging to one Srinivasappa. During the raid, the team found two groups, one each from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, he said.
During the enquiry, they found six children aged about 6 and 8 who were also employed at the factory.
Dhamayanthi, wife of Suraj Nayak, who was rescued, said she was pregnant and despite pleading with their employer, they were not allowed to return to their native for delivery.
The workers rescued from the factory have been provided temporary shelter in Malur BCM Hostel. As per instructions, documents seized during the raid are being verified.
Trains Ticket Booked
Kolar deputy commissioner said the district administration has booked train tickets for all the rescued workers to facilitate their travel back home. "They will be paid travell allowance and will be allowed to stay tonight at the BCM hostel," he added.