The National Human Rights Commission held a meeting of its Core Group on Bonded Labour on the 20th January, 2015. The meeting was chaired by the NHRC Member, Justice Shri D. Murugesan. The aim of the meeting was to discuss various dimensions of bonded labour and explore whether there was a need to amend the existing Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 to ensure complete eradication of this menace. During the discussions, it was by and large felt that there was no need for amendments in the existing Act. However, it needs to be strengthened by framing rules. It was also felt that DMs, SDMs, State Police and State Labour Departments were required to be further sensitized to ensure better implementation of the provisions of the Act. Some of the other important suggestions were as follows:
1. A time limit should be fixed for completion of process by District Magistrates to bring the cases related to bonded labour to logical conclusion.
2. Accountability of all stakeholders should be clearly defined and fixed for effective implementation and monitoring of the provisions of the Act.
3. NGOs should be involved in the investigation and rehabilitation process of bonded labourers.