Freed labourers bonded to past in Odisha

Subject : Polity

Section: Social Issues

Concept :

335 People rescued by Thiruvallur district administration rescued from the brick kilns, under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 (BLS Act) on February 12, 2015.
They should have received ₹20,000 each from the Odisha and Union governments under the anti-slavery Act. But the couple has been waiting for the compensation for almost eight years now.
The rehabilitation assistance was revised in 2016, to ₹2 lakh each to women and ₹1 lakh to men, and ₹3 lakh if the bonded labourers (women, children, transgenders) are rescued from brothels or sexual exploitation.
The Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourer-2021 says that those rescued should be put in skilling programmes and linked with government welfare schemes.

About the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976:

Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 is an extension to article 23 of the Indian constitutio
The Act intends to free all bonded labourers, cancel their debts, establish rehabilitative measures and punish the offender through imprisonment and fine.
The Act is being implemented by the concerned State Govts./UTs.
The Act provides for an institutional mechanism at the district level in the form of Vigilance Committees.
For the purpose of implementing the provisions of this Act, the State Governments/UTs may confer, on an Executive Magistrate, the powers of a Judicial Magistrate of the first class or second class for trial of offences under this Act.
Government of India has introduced a revamped Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers- 2016, under which financial assistance to the tune of Rs.1.00 (one) lakh, Rs.2.00 (two) lakhs & Rs. 3.00 (three) lakhs are provided to released bonded labourers based on their category and level of exploitation along with other non-cash assistance for their livelihood.