Rescue, Relief, and Rehabilitation of Bonded Laborers through Experience Sharing
Alan John; Diya Mariam Thomas & Prince Solomon, PhD, MSW | September 20 | 11:15 am-12:15 pm
Topic: Direct Service, International | Knowledge Level: Advanced
A call from a security guard reporting the use of minor children in the making of jewelry led to a raid conducted through the narrow streets of Chennai, India resulting in the rescue of 23 bonded child laborers. The term “child labor” is often defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and dignity, and is harmful to physical and mental development (International Labour Organization). At least 8 million people are trafficking victims in India, with the majority of whom are bonded laborers. Children and women are the most at-risk demographics. Through the experience of the presenters, they seek to illuminate bonded labor in various industries through this presentation. They will discuss the background procedure, such as tipoff and the field visit that was conducted during pre-raid, as well as the government agencies involved, the rescue, and the circumstances from which they were rescued fall under. The presenters will also describe the experiences leading up to the raid, what happened during the raid, the actual rescue, and the aftermath involved in relief and rehabilitation, including the justice for the perpetrators. This presentation is a first-person account that highlights the skills a social worker needs when working with bonded laborers and the government’s role in regulating rehabilitation and post-release employment.
Presentation Objectives:
· Describe the experience of a released bonded laborer
· Discuss the role of a social worker in the rescue, relief, and rehabilitation of bonded laborers