The National Human Rights Commission has viewed it as serious that in Rajasthan, about 160 posts of Labour Inspectors and a sizeable number of posts of Labour Welfare Officers were lying vacant. The Commission has observed that the post of Labour Officers is meant for ensuring implementation of the provisions of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act. Labour Officer is the source of information for the District Magistrate about the prevalence of bonded labour. Therefore, sufficient number of Labour Officers should be posted.
Accordingly, a notice has been issued to the Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan calling for a factual report. He has been asked to give the number of sanctioned posts and the present strength of Labour Inspectors and Labour Welfare Officers in all the 33 revenue districts of the State and the steps taken for filling up the vacancies.
The matter came to the knowledge of the Commission during its day-long workshop on 'Elimination of Bonded Labour' for the sensitization of various stakeholders, including senior Government functionaries, at Jaipur on the 29th January, 2016.
The Commission has always emphasized that for effective implementation of the provisions of Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, the setting of Vigilance Committee is a must. The Labour Officers are members in the Vigilance Committee at the District and Sub-Divisional level to identify the bonded labourer. The role of Vigilance Committee assumes importance as the labour officers are required to verify the records to be maintained under the labour laws.