Support 500 needy families due to COVID-19

In Salem district, the impacts of COVID-19 are very high among the vulnerable communities. Particularly, the lives of underserved communities are drastically affected for the last two years. They lost their survival basic income and struggled for daily bread.

In our target area, most of the women are rescued from bonded laborer system; they had been supported to income generating resources and prevented from exploitation of slavery. The women were developed as self entrepreneurs. They engaged in coir producing activities and earn regular income before the pandemic. But the sudden impact of COVID-19, they lost everything; they depend on others for basic survival. Most of the women lost their relatives; they spend their belongings to manage the crisis. They had spent all their savings during the lockdown days.

After the new normal, they have no capital investment to restart their income generating activities. Hence, RWDT mobilized resources for these women from various sources. Raw fibers were purchased from whole sale merchants. About 90 women were supported raw fiber bundles to restart their income generation activities. Now the women have raw fiber for more than 2 week work. They could produce coir products and get income with profit. After repeating these activities, their financial position will become good. They could overcome the crisis of pandemic. The major beneficiaries are victims of the COVID-19, all from the rural villages of Tharamangalam block. Through this program 90 women and 340 family members are supported livelihood and prevented from the vicious cycle of poverty.

Thanks to all your continued support to build a resilient communities.

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Despite the enactment of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976, the menace of bonded labour still highly exists in India. The socio economic status of the majority population in Salem district is highly vulnerable for the bonded labour system. The poverty and deep rooted discrimination keep them away from the development aspects. In rural villages of Salem district, the women and their families are depending on their daily income for basic survival needs. The adverse impacts of pandemic COVID-19, again trapped in the hands of high interest money lenders. Many women migrated as bonded laborer to work in the stone crusher units, Brick kilns, agricultural farms and other industries. The adolescent girls are dropped out from schools and forced to work as camp laborer in the spinning and garment sectors.

At work places, they were treated as slaves, restricted movements, the wages also are exploited. RWDT works continuously to rescue the affected people and urge the government to take necessary actions towards the vulnerable women and families

State and central government observe 9^th February as bonded labour abolition day. On behalf this day, RWDT conducted awareness campaign in the villages those are vulnerable for this bonded labour system. The campaign reached about 2000 families 20 villages of Tharamangalam and Edappadi blocks.

In this campaign RWDT Director Mrs. V.Alamelu participated and addressed the issues of bonded labor system. Also she explained about the relief schemes available for the victims of bonded labour system. Also the women were supported to avail the labour card from the government. It is necessary for get any social security schemes from the government.

The campaign was conducted from 9^th February to February 12, 2022.