New Delhi- The bonded labour system was legally abolished across India on 25th October 1975, followed by the enactment of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. However, whenever instances of bonded labour are uncovered, immediate steps are taken to identify and rehabilitate the affected individuals. Under the provisions of this law, the responsibility for identification, release and rehabilitation of bonded labourers rests with the respective State and Union Territory administrations.
District Magistrates and Sub-Divisional Magistrates play a central role in enforcing this law and are supported by Vigilance Committees established at both district and sub-divisional levels. These committees help monitor bonded labour practices and ensure that the legal framework is implemented effectively. The Act also empowers Executive Magistrates to function as Judicial Magistrates of the first or second class in matters related to bonded labour offences, thereby strengthening the judicial response to such violations.
To support the states and union territories in their rehabilitation efforts, the Ministry of Labour and Employment had introduced the Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourer-2016, which was revamped and renamed as the Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourer-2021 from 27th January 2022. The scheme is demand-driven and financial assistance is extended to States and UTs based on the proposals they submit. The funds received are further distributed to the respective districts for direct use under the rehabilitation programme.
Under this revised scheme, state governments are not required to make any matching financial contributions. Immediate financial support of up to Rs30,000 is provided for every rescued bonded labourer. Additional assistance of Rs1 lakh, Rs2 lakh or Rs3 lakh is offered depending on the specific category and level of exploitation, after verification of bondage. Furthermore, the scheme includes financial allocations of Rs4.5 lakh once every three years for each sensitive district, Rs1.5 lakh annually for up to five evaluatory studies, and Rs10 lakh per state each year for awareness campaigns.
Each district is also mandated to create a Bonded Labour Rehabilitation Fund with a permanent corpus of at least Rs10 lakh. This fund is intended for urgent financial support to newly rescued labourers, allowing timely aid even before full-scale rehabilitation is implemented.
To streamline the rescue and legal processes, a Standard Operating Procedure has been issued to all states, guiding identification, rescue operations and the prosecution of offenders. Sensitization programmes and regular coordination meetings with officials from the Labour Department, police forces and district administration are being conducted with the support of the National Human Rights Commission and State Human Rights Commissions. These efforts aim to improve legal enforcement and conviction rates in cases of bonded labour.
This update was shared by Union Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya in a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
