In the bustling Tarapur Industrial Area of Maharashtra, Ravi Kumar Gupta works tirelessly at a steel factory. Every day, he feeds a roaring furnace with scrap metal and molten iron, carefully adjusting the fuel and airflow to keep everything running smoothly. Despite the intense heat and hazardous conditions, Ravi continues to work in worn-out slippers, a stark contrast to the protective gear he desperately needs.
Ravi, who migrated from Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh four years ago, earns just $175 a month—$25 less than the average monthly income in India. His pay is often delayed, arriving between the 10th and 12th of each month. Middlemen in the area take a cut from his wages, skimming between $11 and $17, while another $7 is deducted monthly for basic meals at the factory canteen.
When asked why he remains in this job, Ravi’s voice reflects resignation. He feels he has no choice. His family relies on the $100 he sends home each month. His wife, two young daughters, and ailing father depend on him, especially as climate change has devastated their farming land back home. "The rains don’t come when they should, and there are no jobs in our village," he explains, sipping tea at a roadside shop after his shift.
Ravi’s situation highlights a troubling reality for many workers in India, where the government promotes economic growth and foreign investment while millions endure harsh working conditions. Reports of withheld wages and lack of safety gear paint a grim picture of labor practices in the country.
Despite the Factories Act of 1948, which mandates annual paid leave for workers employed for 240 days or more, Ravi and his colleagues do not receive paid leave. They often work all seven days a week, with Sundays declared a holiday long ago but rarely observed in practice. Many workers do not receive detailed salary slips, leaving them unaware of wage deductions.
If a worker is absent for just a few days, their entry card may be deactivated, forcing them to reapply as a new employee, losing access to benefits like the provident fund. The absence of written contracts further complicates matters, leaving workers vulnerable to exploitation.
In Kakinada, another part of India, 47-year-old Sumitha Salomi faces similar struggles. As a shrimp peeler, she earns even less—about $4.50 a day—without a formal contract. The work is grueling, and breaks are scarce. She supports her family despite the challenges, knowing that questioning her working conditions could cost her job.
Young Minnu Samay, a 23-year-old from Odisha, also works in a shrimp processing factory under strict surveillance. She earns around $110 a month, feels the weight of exploitation, and knows her freedom is limited. "We just adjust and keep going," she says, echoing the sentiment of many workers trapped in similar situations.
Experts warn that these stories reflect a broader issue of forced labor in India, particularly in unorganized sectors. The International Labour Organization estimates that around 90 percent of India’s workforce is informally employed, often facing harsh realities. Despite India ratifying international conventions against forced labor, many workers remain vulnerable.
While the Indian government has made efforts to consolidate labor laws to improve conditions, critics argue that these changes often favor employers over workers. The lack of enforceable contracts and protections leaves many in a precarious situation, where they feel they must tolerate exploitation to survive.
As India strives for economic growth, the stories of workers like Ravi, Sumitha, and Minnu serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by millions. Their determination to work despite the odds highlights the urgent need for reforms that prioritize worker rights and welfare.