Sugar Workers in Maharashtra Face Violence and Coercion to Avoid Abandoning Fields

In Maharashtra, sugar workers grapple with threats of violence and forced labor, as they risk their lives to escape abusive employers while striving to protect their families.

The story of Gighe Dutta, a concerned father, underscores the grim conditions faced by sugar workers in the cane fields of Maharashtra, India. After years of laboring under exploitative conditions, Dutta resolved to quit cutting sugar cane when his daughter turned twelve—a critical age for girls, often linked to dropout rates and ensuing poverty. However, his attempt to escape was thwarted violently by his employer, who, along with accomplices, beat him and abducted him to a mill associated with global sugar brands such as Coca-Cola, Pepsico, and Unilever.

For two days, Dutta was confined, deprived of basic freedoms, and forced to reconsider leaving an abusive work environment that politicians assure is voluntary. In the sugar-rich state, laborers are often denied written contracts, leaving them bound to the discretion of their employers regarding their freedom to leave. This precariousness exposes workers like Dutta and his family to severe threats, including violence, kidnapping, and even murder.

Despite rampant abuse, there remains a significant lack of official documentation of such acts, as fear of retaliation deters many from reporting incidents. While laborers are publicly acknowledged to have the option to seek work elsewhere, the reality is starkly different: they are ensnared in a cycle of exploitation, often with little to no recourse against their abusers. Advocates for workers’ rights continue to highlight the alarming conditions facing sugar workers, painting a picture of a desperate situation that demands urgent attention and reform.