Toll-free helpline launched for bonded labourers

Labour Minister Vivek Venkataswamy announced that the State government will prioritise survivors of bonded labour in the allocation of Indiraamma houses and provide financial assistance. To facilitate reporting of bonded labour cases, the Minister launched a toll-free helpline number, 8069434343, at a conference on bonded labour held on Wednesday. He also announced that the State government would organise programmes on National Bonded Labour Abolition Day, February 9, to raise awareness about the issue and work towards making Telangana a bonded labour-free State. Over 200 bonded labourers attended the conference, where actress and Blue Cross founder Amala Akkineni pledged her support to them. Additional Commissioner of Labour, Gangadhar, assured that strict action would be taken against traders and brokers involved in bonded labour.