13 workers rescued from bonded labour in UP factory, political leaders react

In a joint operation on June 22, 2026, teams from the Labour Department, police, and local administration rescued 13 workers from a tote-making factory in Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh. The workers, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand, had allegedly been subjected to bonded labour for over a year.

According to officials, the workers were lured with promises of employment and fair wages but were instead confined within the factory premises. Their mobile phones and identification documents were confiscated, they were denied adequate food, and faced severe physical abuse. Two pitbull dogs were kept on the premises to deter escape attempts. The workers reported being bitten by dogs, speared, whipped, and fed cattle feed.

The incident has drawn sharp reactions from political leaders. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, described it as 'an assault on human dignity' in a post on X. He called for justice and rehabilitation for the victims and the harshest punishment for the perpetrators. Gandhi also linked the exploitation to broader economic issues, stating, 'As jobs disappear, incomes stagnate, and protections for the most vulnerable, such as MGNREGA and labor laws, are weakened, desperation grows.'

Uttar Pradesh Congress leader Ajay Kumar Lallu attributed the incident to what he termed as the 'failed economic policies' of the state government, citing weak labour laws and lack of regulatory oversight. He said, 'Uttar Pradesh government talks big about investment from big industries, but no investment is coming; it's a structural failure.'

Authorities have initiated a probe into the matter. The rescued workers are receiving medical and legal assistance. The factory owner has been taken into custody. The case highlights ongoing concerns about labour rights enforcement and economic vulnerabilities in the region.