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BRITISH MP HONOURS MAHARASHTRA
COUPLE FIGHTING
AGAINST BONDED LABOUR IN INDIA
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Two human rights activists working to
free bonded labourers in Thane district, Maharashtra, have won the
prestigious British Anti-Slavery Award, given each year by UK human
rights organisation Anti-Slavery International.
Vivek and Vidyullata Pandit were honoured at a packed ceremony held
in the Nehru Centre, London on 27 October.
British Member of Parliament Neil Gerrard presented the Award to the
couple, who have been struggling to implement India's 23-year-old
Bonded Labour System Abolition Act.
"I find it quite horrifying that slavery still exists, and I am
pleased to be here to recognise the work of Vivek and Vidyullata Pandit,"
said Mr Gerrard. "I have been particularly impressed with their
work to release bonded labourers in India and by the fact that none
of those released by their trade union, Shramajeevi Sanghatana,
has returned to bondage."
The Award was received by Keshav Nankar a bonded labourer for 10
years on behalf of those in bondage. From the age of seven Nankar
was kept as a bonded labourer until he was released by Shramajeevi
Sanghatana in 1983. "They taught us to say 'No'
and not to bow to any injustice. They gave us the strength to fight
against all sorts of atrocities that have been committed against us
for generations," he said.
Although bonded labour is outlawed in India, at least 10 million people
remain in bondage. The Pandits have worked for the last 20 years to
inform bonded labourers of the law, and their rights. "One lesson
we learned was that social legislation by itself cannot destroy slavery.
While powerful laws are important and useful, without an insistent
and equally powerful voice to demand their implementation, laws have
remained on paper," said Vivek Pandit.
The couple set up a development agency, Vidhayak Sansad, to
ensure the rehabilitation of the freed bonded labourers, and none
of the 1500 bonded labourers released by the organsiation has returned
to bondage.
"With the release of more and more bonded labourers, the organisation
also grew in leaps and bounds. Now, the leadership of this organisation
is made up of freed bonded labourers," said Vidyullata Pandit.
Nankar is the Executive Director of Shramajeevi Sanghatana.
To coincide with the Award given to the Pandits, London-based Anti-Slavery
is launching a campaign to end bonded labour throughout the world.
Speaking at the ceremony, Anti-Slaveryıs Director Mike Dottridge,
"We have given this Award to Vivek and Vidyullata Pandit to honour
their tireless, yet peaceful struggle, to end bonded labour in India."
"Anti-Slavery is embarking on this campaign to show our solidarity
with bonded labourers, and those, like the Pandits, who work to free
them. Together we can make bonded labour a thing of the past, and
ensure that bonded labourers claim their right to freedom."
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| 28 October 1999 |
PR/8/99 |
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