General SecretaryReleased Bonded Labourers Association
Pachaiyammal Arul is the General Secretary for the Released Bonded Labourers Association (RBLA) state chapter, a network of more than 1,000 women and men who are using their freedom to advocate for others still enslaved. She is employed as a cluster coordinator for the State Rural Livelihood Mission, a pilot project to increase access to government programs for survivors of bonded labour.
Over the last two years, Pachaiyammal has personally led eight rescue operations as an RBLA leader, bringing freedom to over 100 people. Each operation begins with Pachaiyammal sharing her own story as a woman who was once bonded in a rock quarry to people who are likewise trapped in this form of modern slavery, then presenting documentation and mobilizing government officials to intervene. She has helped enroll children into school, advocated for various identification cards that entitle the holder to a range of government benefits, and petitioned local officials for a new road and toilet in her village, as well as new houses for herself and several other families.
Pachaiyammal is a founding member of the Leadership Council for the Global Survivor Network, an international group of survivor leaders who desire and pursue safe communities through justice systems that protect the most vulnerable. Pachaiyammal says, “I am passionate to work for my community and love to represent bonded labour survivors at this global space. I will be able to bring to the table the ground realities that my people face in their freedom journey, and I am also looking forward to learning more from the others.”