NHRC, India hears online 86 cases of alleged bonded labour in Haryana brick kilns

Why in news

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India recently heard 86 cases online concerning alleged bonded labour in brick kilns across various districts of Haryana.

Exam relevance

GS1, GS2 · Society, Governance · Prelims · Mains

Key facts

1. The NHRC, India heard 86 cases of alleged bonded labour in brick kilns in Haryana via an online hearing.
2. The hearing was presided over by NHRC Chairperson, Justice V. Ramasubramanian.
3. Senior state government functionaries, including the Chief Secretary, Labour Commissioner, and District Magistrates, attended the hearing.
4. Justice Ramasubramanian noted that in most cases, records were not properly examined by government functionaries, leading to a lack of credible evidence to declare labourers as bonded.
5. He highlighted the need for a helpline for labourers with proper employment records to help track incidents of bonded labour.
6. State authorities assured compliance with Supreme Court directives and laws to address cases of bonded labour.
7. Officers were urged to remain vigilant and follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) when dealing with bonded labour cases.

Prelims pointers

• National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India: its role and statutory basis.
• Bonded labour: constitutional provisions (Article 23) and legislative framework (Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976).
• Role of state government functionaries (Chief Secretary, Labour Commissioner, District Magistrates) in addressing social issues.
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in governance.

Mains practice question

Despite constitutional safeguards and specific legislation, bonded labour continues to be a challenge in India. In light of the recent NHRC hearing on alleged bonded labour in Haryana, critically analyze the governance gaps and suggest measures for effective eradication of this practice.

Static linkage

The issue of bonded labour is addressed under Article 23 of the Indian Constitution, which prohibits traffic in human beings and forced labour. The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, provides for the abolition of the bonded labour system. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights in India.

Significance

This hearing underscores the persistent challenge of bonded labour in India, particularly in unorganized sectors like brick kilns, and highlights the crucial role of the NHRC in monitoring human rights violations. It reveals significant governance gaps, such as inadequate record-keeping and insufficient investigation by state authorities, which impede the identification and rehabilitation of bonded labourers. The emphasis on a helpline and proper employment records points towards the need for robust, accessible mechanisms to empower vulnerable workers and ensure accountability. Furthermore, the involvement of senior state officials and the directive to follow Supreme Court guidelines and SOPs indicate a push for improved inter-agency coordination and adherence to legal frameworks in combating this social evil.

Way forward

Not specified in source