Critical Analysis of Bonded Labour System in India

Abstract

This study's main purpose is to characterize the current situation of bonded labour in India, as well as its challenges which are been faced in order to be abolished. Article 23 of Indian Constitution prohibits human trafficking and forced labour. Parliament, on the other hand, took until 1976 to establish legislation defining and outlawing bonded labour. The first in-depth investigation research was carried out in 1978 to investigate the type and scope of bonded labour.

Following that the Indian Supreme Court made a series of rulings. Regarding the definition of the term "bound labour" It has also appointed Court Commissioners and given the central government a number of directions. The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act of 1976 requires federal and state governments to report on the incidence of bound and forced labour, as well as to vigorously enforce it Since 1997, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has been overseeing the implementation of the Bonded Labor System (Abolition) Act, ensuring that the Supreme Court's decision is followed. Both the federal and state governments abide by the court's rulings. This paper looks at current evidence on bonded labour, such as reports and surveys from the mid 90s to 2020s, to evaluate if the incidence and pattern of bonded labour has changed, both in terms of appraising the current situation and situating recent changes.