The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India heard 86 online cases of alleged bonded labour in brick kilns across various districts of Haryana. The hearing matters for UPSC because it connects labour rights enforcement, district administration, and the effectiveness of rescue and rehabilitation mechanisms for vulnerable workers.

NHRC Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian presided over the hearing. Senior NHRC officers present included Shri Samir Kumar, Joint Secretary, and Shri Indrajeet Kumar, Joint Registrar (Law). Haryana was represented by the Chief Secretary, Shri Anurag Rastogi, the Labour Commissioner, Shri Vijaykumar Bhavikatti, and the District Magistrates of all districts.

What happened

The Commission reviewed the Action Taken Reports (ATRs) submitted by the District Magistrates on the bonded labour complaints under consideration. Justice Ramasubramanian said that in most cases the records had not been properly examined by the concerned government functionaries, and therefore there was no credible evidence to declare the labourers as bonded labourers.

He asked officials to remain vigilant while dealing with bonded labour complaints and to follow the requirements in the Standard Operating Procedure for Identification and Rescue of Bonded Labourers and Prosecution of Offenders, issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment through a letter dated 14 May 2026. He also stressed the need to launch a helpline so that labourers can seek help and incidents of bonded labour can be tracked.

Background and earlier position

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