(a)whether reports of migrant labourers forced to work as bonded labourers in various States have been received;
(b)if so, the number of such labourers reported in the country, State/UT-wise;
(c)the remedial measures being taken by the Government for the release of such migrant labourers;
(d)the action taken against the erring employers; and
(e)the steps being taken by the Government to provide employment to such rescued bonded labourers?
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 371 FOR REPLY ON 20.04.2015 BY SHRI VIKRAM USENDI REGARDING PROBLEM OF BONDED LABOUR
(a) & (b): We have information relating to number of bonded labourers identified and released in various States till 31.03.2015, as is annexed. However, no separate data showing the number of migrant labourers forced to work as bonded labourers is maintained at Central level.
(c): Government of India has adopted a three-pronged strategy for abolition of bonded labour system:
(i) The Constitution of India vide Article 23 prohibits forced labour;
(ii) Central Government enacted the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. The Act empowers Executive Magistrates to exercise powers of Judicial Magistrate of first or second class for trial of offences; Vigilance Committees at District and Sub-divisional levels have been prescribed to identify and rehabilitate bonded labourers and
(iii) a Centrally Sponsored Plan Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour is under implementation since 1978 by which Central Government contributes Rs.10,000/- for each case of rehabilitation out of the total package of Rs. 20,000/-. Rs. 10,000/- is paid by the State Governments.
(d): Actions against the erring employers under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 are to be taken by the State Governments. Under the Act, the District Magistrate has been conferred with the powers of Judicial Magistrate first class for convicting the perpetrators of bonded labour system. The Act provides for punishment of imprisonment for a term upto three years and fine upto Rs. two thousand for extracting bonded labour under the bonded labour system.
(e): Under the Act, identification, release and rehabilitation of freed bonded labour is the direct responsibility of the concerned States/Union Territories.