Indian teenager escapes debt bondage, says employer burned his legs

CHENNAI, India (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Marimuthu, a south Indian teenager, had no idea the debt bondage he was pushed into last year would lead to serious burns on his legs, forcing him to escape his abusive employer and seek hospital treatment.

After working 15-hour days in a sweet shop with little time off, Marimuthu had a bad headache one day and asked for a break. The shop owner refused, shouted at him and threw a pan of hot oil over his legs, he said. Days later, he ran away.