Bonded labour persists even five decades after enactment of law: Judge

Five decades after the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 came into force, bonded labour still exists in society, according to senior civil judge and member-secretary of the District Legal Services Authority Srinivas Navale. Addressing the unveiling of the Kalyana Karnataka Bonded Labour Liberation Federation's flag and posters on child marriage prevention, Navale underscored the government's responsibility to ensure every person's right to live with dignity, as guaranteed under the Constitution.

He emphasized the need to identify, liberate, and rehabilitate bonded labourers for them to lead dignified lives. Navale stressed that preventing bonded labour and human trafficking is a collective effort, requiring coordination between all government departments and non-governmental organisations. He cited recent incidents of rescue in Sale Beeranahalli village and exploitation of workers in Chamarajanagar, citing the Supreme Court's ruling that payment below the minimum wage could constitute bonded labour.

Navale urged Panchayat Development Officers to raise awareness at the grassroots level and called for immediate action by officials upon receiving information from informants and voluntary organisations. William Christopher, member of the State-level high-powered committee on bonded labour rehabilitation, echoed these sentiments, stressing that Article 21 guarantees every citizen the right to live freely and with dignity.

He highlighted the importance of social security, livelihood support, and bringing school dropouts back into education with skill development and job opportunities. The State government's recent notification to appoint officials for regulation and eradication of bonded labour was also mentioned. Law enforcement officials and representatives of NGOs attended the workshop, pledging collective efforts to build a model Karnataka free from child marriage, bonded labour, and sexual exploitation.