Bonded by Debt: Labor Rights Violations in India’s Sugar Industry

India’s sugar industry relies on the hard labor of informal workers, many of whom face exploitative conditions, withheld wages, and even debt bondage. In this episode, Rajiv Kumar, program manager at RLS South Asia, speaks with Sudhir Katiyar from the Centre for Labour Research and Action about the challenges faced by sugarcane harvesting workers, the shortcomings of existing labor laws, and the potential of the Mathadi Act to bring much-needed protections. They also discuss the role of multinational corporations and how global supply chain laws—like Germany’s Due Diligence Act—can help hold companies accountable.Disclaimer: Views are personal and not necessarily those of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation.