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

📌 Summary:

• NHRC, chaired by Justice V. Ramasubramanian, heard online 86 cases of alleged bonded labour in brick kilns across Haryana districts; Haryana Chief Secretary, Labour Commissioner and all District Magistrates attended

• Chairperson's finding: in most cases records were not properly examined by government functionaries, leaving no credible evidence to declare labourers as bonded — officials urged to remain vigilant

• Officials directed to follow the SOP for Identification and Rescue of Bonded Labourers and Prosecution of Offenders issued by the Ministry of Labour & Employment (14 May 2026) when constituting enquiry teams

• Chairperson proposed a dedicated helpline for labourers with proper employment records to help track bonded labour incidents

• State assured submission of reports in all 86 cases, compliance with Supreme Court directives and NHRC's 'Advisory 2.0 to Identify, Release and Rehabilitate Bonded Labourers'; Commission reviewed Action Taken Reports of DMs

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 — NHRC's protective role, vulnerable sections, labour rights enforcement gaps; links to Article 23 (prohibition of forced labour) and Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976

📝 Prelims Facts:

• NHRC is a statutory body under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993; current Chairperson: Justice V. Ramasubramanian

• Article 23 of the Constitution prohibits traffic in human beings and forced labour

• Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act was enacted in 1976

🔑 Key Term: Bonded Labour — labour extracted against a debt/advance where the worker loses freedom of employment and movement; abolished by the 1976 Act and violative of Article 23