CONSTITUTIONALANDLEGALPROVISIONS

TheConstitutionofIndia:
The Constitution of India guarantees all its citizensjustice, social, economic and political; freedom or
thought,expression,belief,faithandworship;equityofstatusandopportunityandfraternity,dignityof
individualandunityoftheNation.
UnderArticle23.ProhibitionoftrafficinhumanbeingsandforcedlabourTrafficinhumanbeingsand
begarandothersimilarformsofforcedlabourareprohibitedandanycontraventionofthisprovisionshall
be an offence punishable in accordance with law. Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from
imposingcompulsoryserviceforpublicpurposes,andinimposingsuchservicetheStateshallnotmakeany
discriminationongroundsonlyonreligion,race,casteorclassoranyofthem.
UnderArticle42.ProvisionforjustandhumaneconditionsofworkandmaternityreliefTheStateshall
makeprovisionforsecuringjustandhumaneconditionsofworkandformaternityrelief.
Under Article 43. Living wage, etc. for workers The State shall endeavour to secure, by suitable
legislationoreconomicorganizationorinanyotherway,toallworkers,agricultural,industrialorotherwise,
workandlivingwage,conditionsofworkensuringadecentstandardoflifeandfullenjoymentofleisure
and social and cultural opportunities and, in particular the State shall endeavour to promote cottage
industrialonanindividualorcooperativebasisinruralareas.
IndianPenalCode:
Under Section 374. Unlawful compulsorylabour Whoever unlawfullycompels any personto labour
againstthewillofthatperson,shallbepunishablewithimprisonmentofeitherdescriptionforatermwhich
mayextendtooneyear,orwithfine,orwithboth.
Children(PledgingofLabour)Act,1933:
Children(PledgingofLabour)Act,1933saysthatunlessthereissomethingrepugnantinthesubjector
contextanagreementofpledgingthelabourofchildmeansanagreementwrittenororal,expressor
implied,wherebytheparentorguardianofachild,inreturnforanypaymentorbenefitreceivedortobe
receivedbyhim,undertakestocauseorallowtheservicesofthechildtobeutilizedinanyemployment.
Providedthatanyagreementmadewithoutdetrimenttoachild,andnotmadeinconsiderationofanybenefit
otherthanreasonablewagestobepaidforthechildsservicesandterminableatnotmorethanaweeks
notice,isnotanagreementwithinthemeaningofthisdefinition.ItalsosaysthatWhoever,beingthe
parentorguardianofachild,makesanagreementtopledgethelabourofthatchild,shallbepunishedwith
finewhichmayextenduptofiftyrupees.
COMMENTARYONTHEBONDEDLABOURSYSTEM(ABOLITION)ACT,1976

OncommencementofthisActthebondedlaboursystemshallstandabolishedandeverybonded
labourershallstandfreedanddischargedfreefromanyobligationtorenderbondedlabour.

Anycustom,agreementorotherinstrumentbyvirtueofwhichapersonisrequiredtorenderany
serviceasbondedlabourshallbevoid.

Liabilitytorepaybondeddebtshallbedeemedtohavebeenextinguished.

Propertyofthebondedlabourertobefreedfrommortgageetc.

Freedbondedlabourersshallnotbeevictedfromhomesteadsorotherresidentialpremiseswhich
hewasoccupyingaspartofconsiderationforthebondedlabour.

DistrictMagistrateshavebeenentrustedwithcertaindutiesandresponsibilitiesforimplementing
theprovisionofthisAct.

Vigilancecommitteesarerequiredtobeconstitutedatdistrictandsubdivisionallevels.

OffencesforcontraventionofprovisionsoftheActarepunishablewithimprisonmentforaterm
whichmayextendtothreeyearsandalsowithfineswhichmayextendtotwothousandrupees.

PowersofJudicialMagistratesarerequiredtobeconferredonExecutiveMagistratesfortrialof
offencesunderthisAct.OffencesunderthisActmaybetriedsummarily.

EveryoffenceunderthisActshallbecognizableandbailable.
INTERNATIONALLAWONBONDEDLABOURAPPLICABLEININDIA

Inadditiontodomesticlaws,Indiaisapartytonumerousinternationalhumanrightsconventionsandisthus
legallyboundbythem.AnextensivereviewispresentedbytheHumanRightsWatchreportonbonded
laborinIndia.Theselawsinclude;

ConventionontheSuppressionofSlaveTradeandSlavery,1926

This convention requires signatories to prevent and suppress the slave trade and to bring about,
progressivelyandassoonaspossible,thecompleteabolitionofslaveryinallitsforms.Italsoobligates
parties to take all necessary measures to prevent compulsory or forced labor from developing into
conditionsanalogoustoslavery.ConventionontheSuppressionofSlaveTradeandSlavery,signedat
Geneva,September25,1926;ProtocolAmendedtheSlaveryConvention,signedatGeneva,September25,
1926,withannex,doneat,NewYork,December7,1953,enteredintoforce,December7,1953.Aslaveis
someone over whom any or all of the powers attaching to the right of ownership are exercised.
SupplementaryConventionontheAbolitionofSlavery,theSlaveTrade,andInstitutionsandPractices
SimilartoSlavery,doneatGeneva,September7,1956;enteredintoforce,April30,1957(Supplementary
Convention).

SupplementaryConventionontheAbolitionofSlavery,theSlaveTrade,andInstitutionsand
Practices Similar to Slavery, 1956 The supplementary convention on slavery offers further
clarificationofprohibitedpracticesandrefersspecificallytodebtbondageandchildservitudeas
institutionssimilartoslavery.

ForcedLabourConvention,1930

TheInternationalLabourOrganisation(I.L.O.)ForcedLabourConventionrequiressignatoriesto
suppresstheuseofforcedorcompulsorylabourinallitsformsintheshortestperiodpossible.[1]
In1957,theI.L.O.explicitlyincorporateddebtbondageandserfdomwithinitsdefinitionofforced
labor.[2]India,however,chosenottosignthisconvention.

InternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights(I.C.C.P.R.),1966

Article8oftheI.C.C.P.R.prohibitsslaveryandtheslavetradeinalltheirforms,servitude,andforcedor
compulsorylabor.Article24entitlesallchildrentotherighttosuchmeasuresofprotectionasarerequired
byhisstatusasaminor,onthepartofhisfamily,societyandtheState.[3]

InternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights(I.C.E.S.C.R.),1966

Article 7 of the I.C.E.S.C.R. provides that States Parties shall recognize the right of everyone to the
enjoymentofjustandfavourableconditionsofwork.Article10requiresPartiestoprotectchildrenand
youngpersons...fromeconomicandsocialexploitation.

ConventionontheRightsoftheChild,1989

Article32:StatesPartiesrecognizetherightofthechildtobeprotectedfromeconomicexploitationand
fromperforminganyworkthatislikelytobehazardousor...beharmfultothechildshealthorphysical,
mental, spiritual, moral or social development.[4] States are directed to implement and ensure these
protections.
Article35:StatesPartiesshalltakeallappropriate...measurestopreventtheabduction,thesaleofor
trafficinchildrenforanypurposeorinanyform.Asignificantportionofthebondedchildlaborersof
Indiaaretraffickedfromonestatetoanother,andsomearesoldoutright.[5]
Article36:StatesPartiesshallprotectthechildagainstallotherformsofexploitationprejudicialtoany
aspectsofthechildswelfare.[6]

InternationalLabourOrganization(I.L.O.)Conventions

TherearetwoI.L.O.Conventions,ConventionNo.29concerningForcedorCompulsoryLabour(1930)and
ConventionNo.105concerningAbolitionofForcedLabour(1957).
GovernmentofIndiahasratifiedboththeConventions.
ConventionNo.29 castanobligationontheMembers oftheI.L.O.whichratifies thisConventionto
suppresstheuseofforcedorcompulsorylabourinallitsformwithinthe
shortestpossibleperiod.ForthepurposeofthisConvention,thetermforcedorcompulsorylabourmeans
allworkorservicewhichisexactedfromanypersonunderthemenaceofanypenaltyandforwhichthesaid
personhasnotofferedhimselfvoluntarily.
UnderConvention105,eachMemberoftheI.L.O.whichratifiesthisConventionisrequiredtosuppress
andnottomakeuseofanyformofforcedorcompulsorylabour
i.

asameansofpoliticalcoercionoreducationorasapunishmentforholdingorexpressingpolitical
viewsorviewsideologicallyopposedtotheestablishedpolitical,socialoreconomicsystem;

ii.

asamethodmobilizingandusinglabourforpurposesofeconomicdevelopment;

iii.

asameansoflabourdiscipline;

iv.

aspunishmentforhavingparticipatedinstrike;

v.

asameansofracial,social,nationalorreligiousdiscrimination.
PROSECUTIONS AND CONVICTIONS

AccordingtotheAct,bondedlabourwasabolishedonOctober25,1975,andthebondedlabourersstood
freedanddischargedfromanybondedlabourobligations.TheActalsoextinguishedanyobligationtorepay
anybondeddebt.TheActfurtherprovidesthatwhoevercompelsanypersontobondedlabourshouldbe
punishedwithimprisonmentforatermwhichmayextendtothreeyearsandisalsoliabletopayafineof
Rs.2000.
DISTRICT,STATE,ANDNATIONALRESPONSIBILITYFORBONDED
LABORStatesareresponsibleforenforcingtheBondedLabourSystem(Abolition)Act,1976,anddoso
throughtheirdistrictmagistrates,insomestatescalleddistrictcollectorsordeputycommissioners,whoare
directedtoformbondedlabor"vigilancecommittees."Thecentralgovernmentisresponsibleforensuring
thatstatesenforcetheactandthatthevigilancecommitteesareformed.[7] Thecentralgovernmentfunds
statesurveysofbondedlabor,evaluationsofthebondedlaborlaw'simplementation,andpublicawareness
campaigns.[8]Italsoprovideshalfofthefundsforrehabilitationassistance,whichiscurrentlysetatatotal
ofRs.20,000(U.S.$417)perbondedlaborer,slightlylessthantheannualpercapitaincome.[9]
Districtmagistratesareappointedcivilservantsandarethetopauthoritiesatthedistrictlevel.They
overseegovernmentadministration,includingtheadministrationofjustice,andsomefiftytosixtydistinct
departments.[10] Theirwidearrayofdutiesincludesidentifyingcasesofbondedlaborintheirdistricts,
freeingthelaborers,initiatingprosecutions,makingsureavailablecreditsourcesareinplacesothatfreed
laborers will not be forced into bondage again, and constituting and participating in the vigilance
committees.[11]Thevigilancecommitteesarechargedwithadvisingthedistrictmagistratetoensurethatthe
bondedlaborlawisproperlyimplemented;providingfortheeconomicandsocialrehabilitationoffreed
bondedlaborers;coordinatingthefunctionsofruralbanksandcooperativesocietiestohelpensurefreed
bondedlaborershaveaccesstocredit;monitoring"thenumberofoffensesofwhichcognizanceoughttobe
takenundertheact";anddefendingfreedbondedlabosvfrersagainstattemptstorecoverthebondeddebt.In
1996HumanRightsWatchfoundthatveryfewvigilancecommitteeshadevenbeenformedandwasunable
tofindanydistrictinwhichsuchacommitteewasoperative.
InApril2002,officialsintheMinistryofLabourtoldHumanRightsWatchthatvigilancecommitteeshad
beencreatedforeverydistrict.Butregardlessofwhethertheyexistinname,almostnoneareactually
functioning.[12] AccordingtoNHRCSpecialRapporteurChamanLal,thecommissioninvestigatedand
foundthatthevigilancecommittees"werenonexistentordefunctand,wheretheyhadbeenrevived,they
werenotdoingwork."[13] Thecommissionhasbeentryingtorevivethem,hesaid.[14] Accordingtoa
highrankinggovernmentofficialinTamilNadu:
Onpaper,thevigilancecommitteeslookgood.Buttheyarepackedwithpeoplewhobelongtotheruling
party.Itisastatussymboltobeamember.Everydistrictcollectorhaslearnedthattoformacommittee,he
hastoconsultwiththe[party]Secretariat.EvenS.C./S.T.s[ScheduledCasteandScheduledTribemembers]
willstillbelongtotherulingpartysotheytoetheline....Untilnow,thecommitteehasn'tbeeninvolvedin

rehabilitation.Thestereotypeisthattherewillbeatenminutelongmeetingjusttosaythatthereisno
bondedlabor.[15]
ROLEOFTHENATIONALHUMANRIGHTSCOMMISSION
TheApexCourthasdirectedthattheNationalHumanRightsCommission(N.H.R.C.)shouldbeinvolvedin
dealingwiththeissueofbondedlabour.Inpursuancetotheaboveorder,aCentralActionGrouphasbeen
constitutedintheN.H.R.C.ThisGroupisholdingregularmeetingsandthematterisbeingpursuedwiththe
StateGovernments.
In BandhuwaMuktiMorchacase[16] alsotheSupremeCourthadissuedcertaindirectionstotheCentral
Government,theStateofHaryanaandvarious authorities.Inordertoensurecomplianceoftheabove
directions, Ministry of Labour constituted a Task Force, comprising of officers of the Central and the
GovernmentofHaryanawhoareresponsibleforenforcementofvariouslabourlaws.TheTaskForcewas
requiredtoundertakeperiodicvisitsandinspectionsoftheStoneQuarriesandCrusherstoascertainfacts
aboutworkingandlivingconditionsoftheworkers.TheTaskForceiscarryingoutitsassignmentregularly
andsubmittingreportstotheCentralaswellastheStateGovernmentindicatingthereinstatusofcompliance
onthepartoftheconcernedauthoritieswiththestatutoryprovisionsandthedirectionsoftheSupreme
Court.
RECOMMENDATIONSOFTHESECONDNATIONALCOMMISSIONONLABOUR
BondedLabourSystem(Abolition)Act,1976isnotalabourlawbutonlyawelfarelegislation.Whileallthe
otherlabourlawsrelatetosituationswherethereisanemployeremployeenexus,thisisabouttheonlylaw
wherethereversetakesplacei.e.,eventheexistingrelationofmasterservantissnapped,theaffectedperson
releasedfrombondageandprovisionsoughttobemadeforhis/herrehabilitation.TheCommissionregards
theimplementationofthislawbytheMinistryofLabourasappropriate,asitemanatesfromArticle23of
theConstitutionanddealswithworkingpeople.
CONCLUSION:CENTRALLYSPONSOREDPLANSCHEMEFORREHABILITATIONOFBONDEDLABOUR
InordertoassisttheStateGovernmentintheirtaskofrehabilitationofreleasedbondedlabourers,the
MinistryofLabourlaunchedaCentrallySponsoredSchemesinceMay,1978forrehabilitationofbonded
labourers.UnderthisSchemerehabilitationassistanceofRs.20,000/perfreedbondedlabourisprovided,
whichissharedbytheCentralandStateGovernmentson50:50basis;inthecaseoftheSevenNorthEastern
States,100%centralassistanceiftheyexpresstheirinabilitytoprovidetheirshare.TheSchemealsoprovide
forfinancingofthefollowingactivities.Rs.2.00lakhspersensitivedistrictcanbeprovidedtoconcerned
stategovernmenttoconductsurveyforidentificationofbondedlabouronceinthreeyears.

CentralassistanceofRs.10.00lakhseveryyearcanbesanctionedtoeverystategovernmenttoundertake
awarenessgenerationactivitiesrelatingtobondedlaboursystem.
Rs.5.00lakhsperyearcanbesanctionedtoeverystategovernmenttostudyimpactofexistinglanddebt
relatedissuesaffectingbondedlabourersandtheimpactofpovertyalleviationprogrammesandfinancial
assistanceprovidedbyvariousGovernmentsourcessofar.
BesidesabovetheStatesGovernmentshavealsobeenadvisedtointegrate/dovetailtheCentrallySponsored
SchemeforrehabilitationofbondedlabourwithotherongoingpovertyalleviationschemessuchasSwaran
JayantiGramSewaRojgarYojana(S.J.G.S.R.Y.),SpecialComponentPlanforScheduledCastes,Tribal
SubPlanetc.
Accordingly,therehabilitationpackageprovidedbytheconcernedStatedGovernmentsforthefreedbonded
labourersincludesthefollowingmajorcomponents:

Allotmentofhousesiteandagriculturalland;

Landdevelopment;

Provisionoflowcostdwellingunits;

Animalhusbandry,dairy,poultry,piggeryetc.;

Trainingforacquiringnewskills;developingexistingskills;

Wageemployment,enforcementofminimumwagesetc.;

Collectionandprocessingofminorforestproducts;

Supplyofessentialcommoditiesundertargetedpublicdistributionsystem;
Educationforchildren;and

Protectionofcivilrights.

Details on bonded labourers identified/released and rehabilitated as reported by the respective State
GovernmentsandtheCentralAssistancereleasedsofarundertheabovementionedCentrallySponsored
SchemearegiveninthefollowingTable:
Inaddition,asumofRs.291.00lakhshasbeenreleasedtovariousStateGovernmentssofarforconducting
surveyofbondedlabourers,awarenessgenerationandevaluatorystudiesundertheCentralSponsored
Scheme.