I am Juli Toppo, 28 years old, hailing from Pandhripathra, Balaghat District, Madhya Pradesh. I worked as a domestic worker in a family of Mr. Anto Varghese, Mandy House, Thrissur district, Kerala. I worked from 3 May 2022 to 27 September 2022. His brother, a priest, asked me also to look after his aged parents who were living in his brother’s family. He promised me to pay me a salary of Rs. 15,000 per month. I received the salary for the first month only in July after pleading for many days.

As my father fell ill in my native, I left Kerala on 27 September 2022. Mr. Anto told me that the rest of my salary would be transferred to my account. I waited but there was no response. I was finding it extremely difficult to take care of my ailing father. I pleaded with Mr. Anto. He was not willing to pay my salary. I came to know about an organisation Jeevika, working with migrants in Kozhikode and Ernakulam. I approached Jeevika team to help me to get my salary. Jeevika team tried to contact Mr. Anto. All attempts went in vain. With the help of the Jeevika team, I met the Circle Inspector at the Koratty police station and sent complaints to the District Collector, the District Labour officer, the Minister of Women and Child Development, the Labour Minister, and the Chief Minister.

The District Collector ordered an enquiry through the District Labour Officer and asked him to submit a report. After three attempts, Mr. Anto Varghese came to the District Labour Office on 1 April 2023 and paid my salary Rs. 44,262, though it was a bit less.

During this struggle, the Jeevika team provided me with food and shelter and psychosocial support to fight for my right. My travel expenses were also paid by Jeevika and ISI Bangalore. I reached back home safe and sound. I thank Jeevika team and ISI Bangalore for being with me and giving me the confidence and training to claim my due entitlement. Today I am proud of myself. I need not bend my head before anyone to get my entitlement.

 

Miss. Juli Toppo

Mob: 9302802758