The Dark Reality of Sugar Workers in Maharashtra: A Fight for Freedom

Workers like Gighe Dutta and his family endure violent coercion in Maharashtra's sugarcane industry, where kidnappings and assaults are rampant, leaving them with few options to escape a life of exploitation.

When Gighe Dutta's daughter reached the age of 12, he made the pivotal decision to quit the demanding work of cutting sugarcane in Maharashtra. The challenges included long migrations and the risk of his daughter being forced to abandon her education—a critical step towards breaking the cycle of poverty and abuse that many girls face in these communities. However, Gighe’s plan for a better life was met with violent resistance from his employer. He reported being attacked and forcibly taken to a mill associated with several global brands, where he was detained for two days.

Maharashtra, known for its lucrative sugar production, services major companies like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Unilever. While local politicians acknowledge the difficulties of labor but assert that workers are free to seek other employment, the reality is vastly different. The absence of written contracts leaves laborers like Gighe vulnerable to the whims of their employers, who wield power over their ability to leave. The laborers often work under threats of violence, abduction, and even murder, creating a climate of fear that silences many instances of abuse.

Reports and testimonies indicate that kidnapping among sugar workers is not just a rumor but a troubling reality, with many victims too afraid to speak out against their assailants. Even experts and some mill owners admit that such practices are prevalent, further complicating the fight for workers’ rights in this critical sector of India's economy. With little recourse available, those bound to the fields grapple with an agonizing dilemma: endure harsh conditions or risk dire consequences to seek their freedom.