The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Rice mill workers allege `inhuman conditions'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 22, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Rice mill workers allege `inhuman conditions'

By Our Staff Reporter

Rice mill workers of Sarpam Irular Thozhilali Sangam staging a demonstration near the Red Hills bus stand on Monday. — Photo: S. Thanthoni

CHENNAI, SEPT. 21. Hundreds of rice mill workers in Red Hills staged a demonstration yesterday to protest against what they called ``inhuman conditions at their workplace and the apathy on the part of officials of the Tiruvallur district administration.''

Men, women and children working in over 500 rice mills in the area attended the demonstration, organised by Sarpam Irular Workers Association at the Red Hills bus stand. The demonstrators wanted urgent steps taken by the district administration to release more than 10,000 persons working as bonded labourers in the mills.

Most of the labourers belonged to Irula tribal families and many of them have been working in the mills for generations. Apart from meagre wages, the labourers were working in unhygienic conditions with little access to basic amenities.

Callous employers

D. Sekar (28), working in a rice mill on the bypass of the Grand Northern Trunk Road, said his wife Valli (23) died as she was forced to work three days after she gave birth to their third child. ``I was not even allowed to complete the final rites until I finished the day's work,'' Mr. Sekar said and added that subsequently, he was severely assaulted by his employers. He was unable to lodge a complaint with the Red Hills police.

``I have not gone to school and I am unable to remember the exact date when my wife died. I hope to give a better life for my children at least,'' he said.

The labourers said they had to work more than 18 hours a day. Their work included soaking paddy, boiling and drying it and finally removing the rice. The entire process lasts four days and they are paid between Rs. 15 and Rs. 20 only for this period.

K. Krishnan, State president of the Sarpam Sangam, said the workers want working hours regularised, wages fixed in line with Central guidelines, educational facilities for their children and amenities for their parents.

E. Siddhamma, advisor to the sangam, said that though government agencies had inspected the mills several times, it was surprising that not a single violation had been noted by them.

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