Published on: November 6, 2024
KARNATAKA INITIATIVE FOR BONDED LABOURS
KARNATAKA INITIATIVE FOR BONDED LABOURS
NEWS – KARNATAKA HAS LAUNCHED NEW INITIATIVE FOR BONDED LABOURS
HIGHLIGHTS
- 52 officials appointed as ‘Bonded Labour Prohibition Officers’ in Karnataka
- Responsibilities:
- Combat bonded labour practices.
- Collect evidence for prosecuting offenders.
- Raise awareness among citizens and businesses about the issue.
Understanding Bonded Labour
- Definition: Bonded labour involves individuals working to repay debts, often under coercive conditions and without pay.
- Legal Consequences: Offenders face up to three years of imprisonment.
Statistics and Rehabilitation Efforts
- Bonded Labour Cases (2016-2024):
- 2,631 cases reported in Karnataka.
- 4,397 freed bonded labourers received pensions.
- Financial Support for Freed Labourers:
- Monthly allowance: Rs 2,000 (increased from Rs 1,000).
- Rehabilitation scheme:
- Freed male labourers: Rs 1 lakh.
- Freed female labourers/children: Rs 2 lakh.
- For severe exploitation: Rs 3 lakh (released after court verdicts).
Affected Districts
- High Incidence Areas: Bengaluru Urban, Chikkaballapur, Hassan, Mandya, Mysuru, Chikmagalur, Belagavi, Bagalkot, Ramanagara, Kolar, Tumakuru.
- Common Industries Involved:
- Agriculture (sericulture)
- Construction
- Borewell digging
- Small industries (textiles, sawmills)
- Hotels, stone quarries, meat processing, brick kilns.
- Demographics: Most bonded labourers are migrant workers.
Chief Minister’s Commitment
- Budget Promise: The appointment of prohibition officers was part of the 2024-25 budget aimed at eradicating bonded labour.
Composition of Prohibition Officers
- Diverse Backgrounds: The officers include deputy commissioners and personnel from various departments (police, education, labour, social welfare, agriculture, rural development, and panchayat raj).