Hyderabad: A toll-free helpline (8069434343) to report bonded labour cases was launched by labour minister G Vivek Venkataswamy on Wednesday, marking the World Day Against Human Trafficking. Complaints will be acted upon immediately by the labour department, the minister said at an event held in the city.Organised by the Trilanga Unorganised Workers Union, Swecha Gamanam (a coalition of NGOs), and the labour department, the programme featured testimonies from survivors of bonded labour who spoke about their exploitation.The minister announced that rescued bonded labourers will be given priority in Indiraamma Illu housing allocations, as part of broader rehabilitation efforts. He also declared that February 9 will be observed annually as Bonded Labour Abolition Day.Over 200 survivors from across Telangana took part in the state conference ‘The Way to Freedom’ to mark World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. They were rescued from exploitative conditions in brick kilns, factories, farms, the fishing industry, construction, and domestic work.Cases have been reported from districts including Nagarkurnool, Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Yadadri, Narayanpet, Vikarabad, Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, Warangal, Peddapalli, Karimnagar, Hanumakonda, Mulugu, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, and Medchal Malkajgiri.
