May 1 - Labour Day
Bonded Labour in India
Many people in India are still trapped in bonded labour, despite it being officially abolished in 1975.
Workers are often forced to work for long hours without receiving fair wages.
They endure physical and emotional abuse, with some even facing violence.
Government Policies and Shortcomings
The Indian government set a goal in 2016 to release 1.84 crore bonded labourers by 2030, but progress has been very slow.
Between 2016 and 2021, only about 12,000 workers were rescued, which is far below the target.
As a result, millions of people are still trapped in bonded labour, and the government’s plan to eradicate it is not progressing as expected.
Unorganised Sector and Forced Labour
A large number of workers in India are employed in the unorganised sector, where they do not have the protection of unions.
Without unions, these workers are vulnerable to exploitation, face long hours, and are paid poorly.
The Labour Codes introduced in 2019-2020 have weakened workers' rights, making it easier for employers to exploit them for profit.
Exploitation of Migrant Workers
Many migrant workers are forced to leave their villages due to poverty and lack of jobs, and they end up in harsh working conditions.
These workers are often given low wages, work in dangerous environments, and can be easily dismissed.
Industries in India profit from this cheap and forced labour, ignoring the human cost of such exploitation.
COMMENTS