Bonded Labour - The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976

Instances of prevalence of forced and bonded labour system are noticed now and then even after its abolition by law with effect from 25th October, 1975. The reasons are spelt out exhaustively at Section 2(g) of The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. The root of the problem lies in the social customs and economic compulsions and they are yet to change in the desired direction.

Government of India has adopted a three-pronged strategy for abolition of bonded labour system: (i) The Constitution of India vide Art.23 prohibits forced labour; (ii) Central Government enacted the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976; The Act empowers Executive Magistrates to exercise powers of Judicial Magistrate of first or second class for trial of offences; Vigilance Committees at District and Sub-divisional levels have been prescribed to identify and rehabilitate bonded labourers and (iii) a Centrally Sponsored Plan Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour is under implementation since 1978 by which Central Government contributes Rs. 10,000/- for each case of rehabilitation.

Actions against the employers of bonded labour under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 are to be taken by the State Governments. Under the Act, the District Magistrate has been conferred with the powers of Judicial Magistrate first class for convicting the perpetrators of bonded labour system.  The Act provides for punishment of imprisonment for a term upto three years and fine upto Rs. two thousand for extracting bonded labour under the bonded labour system. Central Government does not maintain records on the number of cases and action taken against the guilty. This is not mandated under the Act.

The State/ UT- wise number of bonded labourers identified, released and rehabilitated and Central assistance released to the States under the Centrally Sponsored Plan Scheme up to 31.03.2015.

NOTE

* 19962 Bonded Labourers are not available for rehabilitation; they are either dead or untraceable as per report.

* An amount of Rs. 8182.62 lakhs as matching rehabilitation grant has also been provided by the State Governments for rehabilitation of bonded labour.

* In the case of North Eastern regions, 100% Central grants (without matching States share) are   provided for rehabilitation of bonded labour.  However, only Arunachal Pradesh has availed the 100% Central assistance amounting to Rs. 568. 48 lakhs.

This was stated by Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, the Minister of State(IC) for Labour  and Employment in response to a written question in Lok  Sabha  today