Kotpad,: In Kotpad region of Koraput district, the issue of dadan (migrant bonded) labour trafficking is on the rise, with administration showing little action despite growing concerns. It has been observed that agents and middlemen, in collusion with certain labor contractors, are luring rural youth with false promises and sending them off as migrant workers.
Every day, buses from Kerala arrive in the area, picking up local youth and dropping off returning workers. Even though the district and block-level authorities are aware of these activities, no action is being taken to stop or inspect these buses, raising allegations of complicity between bus owners, trafficking agents, and possibly administrative officials.
There are concerns that the number of migrant laborers being trafficked to Kerala is steadily increasing, and that no health screening is conducted for those returning, potentially increasing the risk of spreading COVID-19 or other infections. Locals have urged the administration to take immediate steps and inspect the buses involved in such activities.
It is reported that many young men from rural areas of Kotpad are being trafficked to Kerala for work. Though both state and central governments have launched various schemes to curb dadan labour, locals allege that these schemes are not being implemented effectively, which is contributing to the worsening situation.
In rural areas, most government schemes are being carried out by contractors, often with the help or guidance of panchayat and block-level staff, and there are allegations that job cards are being misused to show fake employment on paper while workers are actually sent away for labor.
Due to lack of employment, many people are being forced to migrate for work to Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Hyderabad, among others. Furthermore, in this block, there is no proper labour department office or officer, which has left the area without monitoring or protection for the local workforce.
Locals are demanding immediate government attention to the issue and strict enforcement of labour protection laws to prevent further exploitation.