Lifetime Chain - Bonded Labour
By Mohammad Azim Khan Keyani
When for repayment of loans, labour is demanded
Then it is said that certain labourers are bonded
Millions in world are entangled to this servitude
Landlords to them are always very cruel and rude
Enslaved to do rigorous work at little price
Can hardly afford bread or piece of slice
They, including families are chained for a lifetimeLandlords can sell them to other ones any time
They are encouraged for big amounts to borrow
So that landlords can earn huge interest tomorrow
Are almost crippled to return the original amount
With interest keeps on increasing the debt account
Work seven days a week, live worse than animals
Landlords treat with them like the criminals
Do arduous and exploitative work without any respite
The landlords are very harsh and also impolite
Even when they are sick or in emergency
Children & women have to work without clemency
In cottage industries, factories, and agriculture sector
Bonded labour has been found to be a major factor
From stone crushing, brick making and carpet weaving
Efforts be made for children and women for relieving
In fish cleaning, shoe-making and rolling of tobacco leaf
Bonded labour exists, there is little chance of relief
Children work on behalf of parents without any wage
To get rid of this, when will come that stage?
At time of parents’ sickness or sudden death
Children become bonded laborer in lieu of debt
If poor parents have taken even a small loan
As bonded labourer their children will have to own
Those escaped are brought back and very badly punished
Sometimes are afraid their lives would be finished
Children and women suffer from physical and sexual abuse
Also subjected to rigorous work and are unable to refuse
Laws already do exist that prohibit debt bondage
But bonded labourers hardly get from them any advantage
Nobody seems to be able to break this chain
Till time illiteracy, poverty and cruel landlords remain
By Mohammad Azim Khan Keyani
When for repayment of loans, labour is demanded
Then it is said that certain labourers are bonded
Millions in world are entangled to this servitude
Landlords to them are always very cruel and rude
Enslaved to do rigorous work at little price
Can hardly afford bread or piece of slice
They, including families are chained for a lifetimeLandlords can sell them to other ones any time
They are encouraged for big amounts to borrow
So that landlords can earn huge interest tomorrow
Are almost crippled to return the original amount
With interest keeps on increasing the debt account
Work seven days a week, live worse than animals
Landlords treat with them like the criminals
Do arduous and exploitative work without any respite
The landlords are very harsh and also impolite
Even when they are sick or in emergency
Children & women have to work without clemency
In cottage industries, factories, and agriculture sector
Bonded labour has been found to be a major factor
From stone crushing, brick making and carpet weaving
Efforts be made for children and women for relieving
In fish cleaning, shoe-making and rolling of tobacco leaf
Bonded labour exists, there is little chance of relief
Children work on behalf of parents without any wage
To get rid of this, when will come that stage?
At time of parents’ sickness or sudden death
Children become bonded laborer in lieu of debt
If poor parents have taken even a small loan
As bonded labourer their children will have to own
Those escaped are brought back and very badly punished
Sometimes are afraid their lives would be finished
Children and women suffer from physical and sexual abuse
Also subjected to rigorous work and are unable to refuse
Laws already do exist that prohibit debt bondage
But bonded labourers hardly get from them any advantage
Nobody seems to be able to break this chain
Till time illiteracy, poverty and cruel landlords remain
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