NHRC open forum participants say fixing agrarian crisis key to end bonded labour

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The participants of the NHRC open house discussion on bonded and migrant labour felt that the root cause of this menace lies in the agrarian crisis, which needs to be addressed on priority in the country. It was also suggested that a letter from the Prime Minister to the Chief Ministers will help priorities this issue on the lines of mission mode campaigns like Swacch Bharat Abhiyan.

Earlier, expressing serious concern over the continuance of this problem, NHRC Member Justice P C Pant, in his opening remarks, said that a preventive approach is needed to end bonded labour, as it has acquired various new forms and dimensions with the changing times and vocations since the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act was enacted in 1976.

Justice Pant said that bonded labour contracts are not purely economic in India; these are reinforced by custom or coercion in many sectors such as the agricultural, silk, mining, match production and brick kiln industries, among others. He said that robust inter- state coordination mechanisms involving all ministries, agencies, trade unions and NGOs are required to address the issues of migrant workers, who may end up becoming bonded labour.

Dr D M Mulay, Member, NHRC, said that for the robust implementation of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, it will be necessary to increase the conviction rate of those involved in subjecting people to bonded labour to act as a deterrant . It is required to expose all the elements that contribute to propagate this menace.

Jyotika Kalra, Member, NHRC, said that the NHRC has been very proactively taking the cognisance of the complaints related to bonded labour. She suggested that the NGOs should try sending online complaints to the Commission by geo-tagging the photos showing bonded labour.

Jaideep Govind, Secretary General, NHRC, said that the social and economic marginalisation of weaker sections and their inability to move out of their respective group makes them particularly vulnerable to forced labour and human trafficking. Moreover, he said, the lack of labour regulations in informal and unregulated sectors creates huge power imbalances in employer-worker relationships and increases workers’ vulnerability to exploitation. Therefore, concerted efforts including community based movements and grassroots awareness campaigns, involving all stakeholders are urgently required.

Ajay Tiwari, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Labour and Employment, said that despite the efforts, there are still many challenges in the way of effective implementation of Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act. Some of these are: Almost Nil convictions, High pendency of Summary Trials at DM level, Mismatch of Names on Release Certificate & Bank A/C, Rehabilitation linked to convictions, Less sensitivity of the District Machinery/ Vigilance Committees, Poor inter-departmental coordination, Requirement of Aadhaar, bank details. He said that the Centre is focused on resolving them with the states. Besides taking various measures, it is providing financial assistance to states for some specific purposes in this regard, according to an NHRC release.