about india justice 08

In 2006, 550 Indian workers were trafficked to the US after Hurricane Katrina.

In 2008, they escaped from labor camps, walked to Washington and launched a hunger strike for justice… now, over 20 of these Guest Workers who triggered a high-profile federal investigation into human trafficking, have been targeted by a raid carried out by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, near Fargo, North Dakota.

It is in the middle of this, that I have been given the privilege to travel as a supporter, ally, and advocate first to Delhi, to participate in an event at Constitution Hall targeting Supreme Court Advocates in India, and later to visit families’ homes in Kerala.

conference preview

I was happy to finally meet Vidhu and Arathi face-to-face this morning, after having many telephone and online conversations over the last few weeks.  They have done an amazing job meeting with, organizing, and documenting their experiences with the families of workers in Kerala. 

They, along with Anannya and the rest of the staff at the offices of Society for Labour and Development have also been busily preparing themselves for the event tomorrow.

The conference, entitled “International Labour Trafficking: New Challenges, Fresh Thinking,” is the 1st time in India, where labor migration is being looked at as a bi-national issue between the US and India.  Organizers intend this forum to allow attendees to take a look at Indian and US laws, government and court responsibilities, and short & long-term interventions.  Participants include lawyers, international labor organizations, labor representatives, and families. 

The goal of the conference is to come out with specific recommendations for legislative change, as well as create an interest in Public Interest Litigation in India.

Some scenes from the office are below.

day 1

I am in Delhi for the first time, and am surprised at how dusty and red it is.  The sky looks like it is always sunset and there is a layer of dust on everything that touches the air.  The weather is extremely pleasant – not hot and not cold - but the residents are complaining about “winter” and how it is “too cold.”

My host, Shulamit, is a volunteer with Jobs for Justice in Seattle, Washington, who is here in India for four months.  Shulamit attended the JWJ conference in Rhode Island this March, and found the story of Signal Workers very inspiring, as she made plans to return to India (she had previously worked on projects in Cochin).  She has been a great help and protector, and I am learning a lot from her (especially on traveling and eating and managing to live in Delhi).

Tomorrow, I will be going to the office for Society for Labour and Development, where I will meet Anannya, Vidhu, Arathi and others, who have actively been working on the campaign in India.

welcome to delhi

road outside delhi airport

shulamit making purchases