women group, modern slavery, human rights, social issue - Documentary photographer and Photojournalist working on stories about the environment, social inequity, social inequality and human interest stories. I'm based in Bangalore, India

Venkata Lakshmamma is a farm hand in an agricultural district in Karnataka, a state in southern India. She worked as a labourer, along with her family, for 5 years towards paying a loan of 10,000 INR (140 USD) that her father-in-law had taken. After 5 years, her employers told her that she had paid-off only half of what she owed. They did not allow her to send her children to school.

Bonded labour is the most widespread form of modern slavery. It occurs when a person is forced to work to pay-off a debt that often spans many years of labour to fulfil. As in the case of Lakshmamma, the value of their work usually becomes greater than the amount borrowed.

Lakshmamma, now emancipated, works as a daily-wage worker. She has paid off her family’s loans, educated her children, and taken care of her family’s medical expenses. She turned her life around with the help of a women’s self-help group that gave her access to a loan and financial services.

My project documents these women’s self-help groups - made up of former women bonded labourers and wives of bonded labourers. Members of the group work together to improve their lives and reduce their dependence on land owners eager to exploit their vulnerability.

Though India outlawed bonded labour in 1976, it is still prevalent in an unseen and ruthless manner. Social customs and economic drivers have seen the barbaric practice continue to thrive especially in agriculture, brick kilns and factories. According to data presented to the Indian Parliament in 2019, Karnataka has one of the highest rates of bonded labour.

In 2016, the Indian government set a target of rescuing 18 million workers from bondage by 2030, and increased the amount of compensation for survivors.Though thousands are estimated to have been rescued since, few have received the payment they are eligible for upon their emancipation.

Survivors are entitled to claim full compensation only after obtaining an official release certificate - a legal process that can take years. As a result, emancipated labourers struggle to make ends meet, thereby falling back into debt and eventually bondage. According to government statistics, more than 60% of survivors are back in bondage or working in slave-like conditions.

I came across the practice of bonded labour while photographing the drought in Karnataka in 2017. I learned that the practice is widespread in rural areas where the agricultural industry relies on contracted, often migrant, labourers.

While documenting two women’s self-help groups in neighbouring villages, I learnt that its members work together to support each other, gain access to financial services, and spearhead changes that affect the entire community.

The women work as daily-wage workers in farms eking out savings from their minimum wages and collectively depositing it at the bank. Once this deposit is substantial, they are able to avail a loan that they distribute amongst themselves according to individual needs like buying livestock, children’s education, medical expenses, etc. Availing these loans is critical to their ability to maintain their independence.

Women's group, Modern Slavery, Human rights, Social issue

Lakshmakka is from Beechaganahalli, Chikkaballapur district. Her father was a bonded labour. Her father was given 3 meals and he would bring it back home to share it with his family. Her father took another loan to get her married, but her husband left her. Her mother first joined the group when her father had health problems. Lakshmakka later joined the group and took a 2 loans of 25,000 INR and of 8000 INR. She bought 5 sheep with the money and also worked as a daily wage worker at a garment industry. She had to sell of her sheep as her had health problems and needed the money to pay her hospital bills. She now works at a grape farm and earns about 200 INR a day. She's hoping to take a loan again and buy some cattle in order to earn some additional income

The realease certificate of Venkatalakshmamma's father in law. Venkatalakshmamma is a member of the women self help group.

Venkatalakshmamma and Lakshmaakka at the weekly meeting of the womens self group at Beechagana halli in Chikkaballapur district. The group was started in 2003. They meet every week and discuss their week, their problems, how to take the group forward. During their meetings they contribute finacially towards the collective fund which they then deposit at the bank. Once they collect a substantial amount, they get a loan for double the amount from the bank and distribute it amongst members. Each member uses that money for various needs like buying livestock, the education of their children, medical expenses etc. They also collectively pay back the loan in installments.Access to these loans reduce women vulnerabilities and make them more independent.

Beechaganahalli, one of the villages in Chikkaballapur district where Bonded labour is quite rampant due to poverty. The womens self help group in Beechaganahalli was started in 2003

Narayanamma and her husband Chikkanjannappa are from Bhagyapali, Chikkaballapur district. Chikkaanjanappa was a bonded labourer for 20 years. He was given 3 meals and paid 500 INR per year. Narayanamma joined the womans self help group in 2012. By taking loans from the group she was able to buy a cow and also educate her children. One of her sons has completed his BCom and the second son has completed his 12th standard and works at a photo studio.

Lakshmidevamma, a former bonded labour is from Bagyapalli, Chikkaballapur district. She was rescued 3 years ago and joined the women group. She has taken small loans of 1000- 5000 INR when needed.

Venkatalakshmama works at a farm as a daily wage worker. She makes 150- 200 INR a day. Her father in law had taken a loan of 10,000 INR. Often entire families have to work to pay off the debt taken by one of its members. Sometimes, the debt can be passed down the generations and children can be held in debt bondage because of a loan their parents had taken decades ago. To pay off the loan of 10,000 INR she, her husband and father in law worked for 5 years in the silk industry. Her children weren't allowed to go to school. After 5 years her employer had said they had paid off only 5000 INR. She joined the group at Beechaganahalli and took a loan of 5000 INR plus her daily wages to pay off her employer. She paid him a total of 15,000 INR. She was released in 2004. Once she paid off all her loans she took more loans and bought livestock and used the loans to educate her children. She had to sell off all her livestock as she had to pay for her husbands surgeries. She now works as a daily wage labourer and earns 150- 200 INR a day. Her daughter has completed her degree and was going to start her teachers training. Her son is doing his SSLC.

The weekly womens self group at Beechagana halli in Chikkaballapur district. The women who attended and the money given is written against their name. The group was started in 2003. They meet every week and discuss their week, their problems, how to take the group forward. During their meetings they contribute finacially towards the collective fund which they then deposit at the bank. Once they collect a substantial amount, they get a loan for double the amount from the bank and distribute it amongst members. Each member uses that money for various needs like buying livestock, the education of their children, medical expenses etc.. They also collectively pay back the loan in instalments. Access to these loans reduce women vulnerabilities.

Devamma and Manjula at Canara Bank to drop off their weekly contributuion at Beechaganahalli, Chikkaballapur district.

Venkatalakshmama, her daughter Asha and husband Muniraju at their home in Beechagana halli, Chikkaballapur district after a days work in the fields. Her father in law had taken a loan of 10,000 INR. Often entire families have to work to pay off the debt taken by one of its members. Sometimes, the debt can be passed down the generations and children can be held in debt bondage because of a loan their parents had taken decades ago. To pay off the loan of 10,000 INR she, her husband and father in law worked for 5 years in the silk industry. Her children weren't allowed to go to school. After 5 years her employer had said they had paid off only 5000 INR. She joined the group at Beechaganahalli and took a loan of 5000 INR plus her daily wages to pay off her employer. She paid him a total of 15,000 INR. She was released in 2004. Once she paid off all her loans she took more loans and bought livestock and used the loans to educate her children. She had to sell off all her livestock as she had to pay for her husbands surgeries. She now works as a daily wage labourer and earns 150- 200 INR a day. Her daughter has completed her degree and was going to start her teachers training. Her son is doing his SSLC.

Devamma with her grandchild at her home in Beechaganahalli in Chikkaballapur Taluk. Devamma's father in law was a bonded labour for 15 years. He had taken a loan to educate his children. Devamma started the self help group in 2003 with the help of an NGO. Through the group she has leased one acre of land for a period of 5 years with a loan of 25,000 INR. She grows Ragi, Ground nuts which she uses for own consumpton and also sells some to brokers. She has been able to educate her children by taking group loans from the bank. Her daugther works as a nurse at the hospital and earns an income of 12,000 INR a month. She is currently on maternity leave. She has been able to educate her children by taking group loans from the bank. Her older son works as a computer operator and younger son has just completed his Degree. Devamma also works as a daily wage worker on different farms.

Akalamma and Anjanappa at their meat stall in Kotakote, Bagepalli Taluk, Chikkaballapur District. Anjanappas father had taken a loan of 50,000 INR and was bonded labour for 35 years. Once he grew old, Anjanappa continued to work to finish the loan taken by his father. They were later rescued. They cut meat 3 days a week and the rest of the week they work as daily wage labourers. With the government money they bought a cow. They are part of the group and hope to take a loan soon.

Venkatalakshmama with a calf she bought recently with the help of a loan through the womens self help group. Her father in law had taken a loan of 10,000 INR. Often entire families have to work to pay off the debt taken by one of its members. Sometimes, the debt can be passed down the generations and children can be held in debt bondage because of a loan their parents had taken decades ago. To pay off the loan of 10,000 INR she, her husband and father in law worked for 5 years in the silk industry. Her children weren't allowed to go to school. After 5 years her employer had said they had paid off only 5000 INR. She joined the group at Beechaganahalli and took a loan of 5000 INR plus her daily wages to pay off her employer. She paid him a total of 15,000 INR. She was released in 2004. Once she paid off all her loans she took more loans and bought livestock and used the loans to educate her children. She had to sell off all her livestock as she had to pay for her husbands surgeries. She now works as a daily wage labourer and earns 150- 200 INR a day. Her daughter has completed her degree and was going to start her teachers training. Her son is doing his SSLC. Her father in law had taken a loan of 10,000 INR. Often entire families have to work to pay off the debt taken by one of its members. Sometimes, the debt can be passed down the generations and children can be held in debt bondage because of a loan their parents had taken decades ago. To pay off the loan of 10,000 INR she, her husband and father in law worked for 5 years in the silk industry. Her children weren't allowed to go to school. After 5 years her employer had said they had paid off only 5000 INR. She joined the group at Beechaganahalli and took a loan of 5000 INR plus her daily wages to pay off her employer. She paid him a total of 15,000 INR. She was released in 2004. Once she paid off all her loans she took more loans and bought livestock and used the loans to educate her children. She had to sell off all her livestock as she had to pay for her husbands surgeries. She now works as a daily wage labourer and earns 150- 200 INR a day. Her daughter has completed her degree and was going to start her teachers training. Her son is doing his SSLC.

Devamma and Manjula at Canara Bank to drop off their weekly contributuion at Beechaganahalli, Chikkaballapur district.

Pedalashmaya and Adalakshmama at their shop in Kothakote, Bagepalli taluk in Chikkballapur district. Pedalakshmayas parents were bonded labouerers and became a bonded labourer too to pay off the loan. They had taken a loan to marry Pedalakshmaya's sister. Through awareness groups they were released. Adalakshmama then became a member of the womens self help group in Bagepalli taluk. She took a loan of 40,000 INR and set up a stall where she sells coconuts and other items. They took the loan 2 years ago and are paying off the interest. They run the stall 3 days a week and work as daily wage workers the rest of the week.

Chikarlakshmama works in a farm in Begepalli taluk, Chikballapur district as a daily wage labourer and makes 200 INR a day. Her husband was a bonded labouerer for 18 years. After they were rescued, she became part of the womens group. She took a loan of 10,000 INR and bought a cow. Unfortunately the cow died last year and she hopes to take a loan soon to buy cattle, so that she can earn some extra income.

Devammas walks on the 1 acre land she has leased out in Beechagana halli, Chikkaballapur Taluk. She has leased the land for a period of 5 years with a loan of 25,000 INR. She grows Ragi, Ground nuts wich she uses for own consumpton and also sells some to brokers. Devammas father in law was a bonded labour for 15 years. He had taken a loan to educate his children. Devamma started the self help group in 20013 with the help of an NGO. She has been able to educate her children by taking group loans from the bank. Her daugther works as a nurse at the hospital and earns an income of 12,000 INR a month. Her older son works as a computer operator and younger son has just completed his Degree. Devamma also works as a daily wage worker on different farms.

Samyukta Lakshmi