CB BureauA national-level advocacy campaign – Bandhua 1947 – has been launched to mobilize people against the bonded labour system. The campaign will also urge the government to strengthen the Bonded Labour Abolition Act through amendments.
‘Even after 65 years of Independence, hundreds and thousands of our fellow countrymen are still living a life worse than an animal as a bonded labour. For them, a day’s two square meal is still a distant dream. Bringing issues to the forefront of public consciousness and spreading awareness about the plight of bonded labourers are essential steps towards the successful realization of the campaign objectives,’ said Saju Mathew, director of operations of International Justice Mission (IJM) South Asia, which is partnering the campaign.
The other partners in the campaign are Action Aid India, Adivasi Solidarity Council, Jeevika and Justice Ventures International.
Executive director of Action Aid India, Sandeep Chachra, said, ‘While the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, of India abolishes and illegalizes bonded labour, there still remain pockets in different states where this practice continues. New forms of bonded labour are seen in today’s market-driven economy especially within the feudal, caste and identity based fabric of India.’
Some of the campaign recommendations are: (i) active vigilance committee in every district; (ii) random inspection of industries; (iii) training of law-enforcing state-level government officers; (iv) welfare schemes for rescued bonded labourers; (v) awareness campaign at the state level; and (vi) toll-free helpline number.
As per Ministry of Labour and Employment Annual Report, 2008-09, and
India Census Data, 2001, 86.6 per cent of bonded labourers are from
Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities, who make up 24.4 per
cent of the country’s population.