NHRC Takes Up 86 Alleged Bonded Labour Cases in Haryana Brick Kilns Through Online Hearings
(By Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
New Delhi, July 10: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, on Friday conducted online hearings in 86 cases alleging bonded labour at brick kilns across Haryana, with NHRC Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian underscoring the urgent need for a dedicated helpline for labourers backed by a comprehensive employment record system to facilitate the identification and tracking of bonded labour cases.
During the proceedings, the Haryana authorities assured the Commission that reports in all the pending cases would be submitted in accordance with its directions and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring strict compliance with the directives of the Supreme Court and the statutory framework governing the eradication of bonded labour.
The online proceedings were conducted in the presence of NHRC Joint Secretary Samir Kumar, Joint Registrar (Law) Indrajeet Kumar, and other senior officers of the Commission.
The hearing was attended by Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, Labour Commissioner Vijaykumar Bhavikatti, and the District Magistrates of all districts in the State.
During the hearing, NHRC Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian observed that in a majority of the cases, the records had not been subjected to proper scrutiny by the concerned authorities, resulting in the absence of credible evidence necessary to determine whether the complainants qualified as bonded labourers.
Stressing the need for greater vigilance, he directed the officials to strictly adhere to the Standard Operating Procedure for Identification and Rescue of Bonded Labourers and Prosecution of Offenders, issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on May 14, 2026, while constituting inquiry teams to examine complaints.
Justice Ramasubramanian also called for the establishment of a dedicated helpline for labourers, supported by a robust employment record mechanism, to facilitate timely reporting and effective tracking of bonded labour incidents.
NHRC Joint Secretary Samir Kumar underscored the need for strict compliance with the Commission’s directions and urged the State authorities to implement the measures envisaged under the Commission’s Advisory 2.0 on the Identification, Release and Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers.
During the proceedings, the Chief Secretary, the Labour Commissioner and the District Magistrates presented the status of the 86 cases, while the Commission examined the Action Taken Reports (ATRs) submitted by the respective district administrations.
The Haryana Chief Secretary and the Labour Commissioner assured the Commission that all 86 cases would be comprehensively reviewed and that the requisite reports and information would be furnished in accordance with the Commission’s directions.
They further affirmed the State’s commitment to ensuring full compliance with the directives of the Supreme Court and the applicable statutory framework to facilitate prompt identification, rescue, rehabilitation, and other remedial measures in cases involving bonded labour.
