Bonded labour violates equality, says official

“Bonded labour is an inhuman and unjust practice that violates equality and human dignity. Everyone in society must join hands to eliminate it. Effective coordination among departments and officials concerned is essential to root out bonded labour and build a bonded labour-free district,” Deputy Commissioner Snehal R. said in Dharwad on Sunday.

She was speaking after inaugurating a workshop on Bonded Labour Prohibition Officers as part of Bonded Labour System Abolition Day.

“Bonded labour is a symbol of slavery. It is unfortunate that despite laws enacted to ensure equality and protect workers, the system still exists in some places,” she said.

She urged officials to work with determination and ensure strict implementation of the law.

“We need to take steps to prevent child labour, especially during holidays. Officials should ensure that children attend schools. If children are found working instead of studying, legal action must be taken and efforts should be made to bring them back to school,” she said.

Senior Civil Judge Parashuram Doddamani said that under bonded labour, many workers have been deprived of minimum wages, food, shelter, medical care and other basic facilities.

“Various departments and legal services authorities are conducting awareness programmes and taking legal action to prevent such practices,” he said.

He stressed the need for training officials and conducting regular inspections in industrial areas to ensure workers receive their rightful benefits and that none faces injustice.

State High-Level Committee member William Christopher and Dharwad Bar Association president Ashok Enagi also spoke.

Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Bhuvanesh Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ravish C.R., Deputy Labour Commissioner D.G. Nagesh, Assistant Labour Commissioner Sachin Halemani and others were present.