On February 28th, 2019, JVI and one of its local partners collaborated with government authorities to rescue 64 victims (21 families) from forced labor slavery in a brick kiln in the northern India state of Uttar Pradesh. The manager of the brick kiln brutally abused the victims both physically and verbally. Victims were not allowed to leave. An entire household was given a mere $2.80 a week for working 11-12 hours each day. Children under the age of 10 were forced to work by the brick kiln manager who would hurl insults and beat the parents with sticks if they refused to send their children to work.
Large families lived in extremely unhealthy conditions in small dirty smoke-filled huts far from any medical facilities. One child died from an illness after the manager did not allow the family to access medical attention. Another child who became paralyzed on one side of his body while at the kiln was released along with his parents but his siblings (aged 13 and 9) were forced to stay back at the brick kiln and continue working.
On the day of the rescue, the brick kiln manager and another trafficker were arrested. The victims were all released and transported back to their native homes in the state of Bihar where they will begin a new life of freedom. JVI and its local partners will work with the survivors to secure access to government rehabilitation assistance and private aftercare services over the next 24 months while JVI lawyers ensure that the perpetrators are prosecuted.
For over a decade, JVI has been partnering with local organizations and global stakeholders to bring freedom, justice and restoration to men, women and children suffering from human trafficking and other forms of extreme injustice.
Will you join us? Your support is needed and appreciated. Partner with us today to bring freedom, justice and restoration.
