Lok Sabha Question No. 130 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-04
Subject: Number of Slaves in the Country
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: ASADUDDIN OWAISI

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 130 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2019

## NUMBER OF SLAVES IN THE COUNTRY

## 130. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will  the  Minister  of  LABOUR  AND  EMPLOYMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)whether  a  survey  funded  by  US  Government  has  assessed  the number of slaves in India between 14-18 million, the highest in the world and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether this report may have an adverse impact on the image and exports from the country;
- (c)if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reaction  of  the  Government
- thereto;
- (d)whether the Government  has  taken  up the matter with ILO regarding the fact revealed in the said report; and
- (e)if so, the details thereof and further steps taken/being taken by the Government to improve country's image vis-à-vis reducing number of slaves in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a): No such report has been received.
- (b) & (c): Does not arise.

(d): A private NGO, namely Walk Free Foundation in partnership with ILO had come out with the Report on 'Global estimates of Modern Slavery:  Forced  Labour  and  Forced  Marriage,  2017'.    However,  the report  did  not  specifically  mention  any  data  pertaining  to  India. Objections to the use and definition of the term 'Modern Slavery' have been raised by India at various fora such as ILO.  We have taken up this  matter  with  ILO  at  the  highest  level  and  Secretary,  Ministry  of Labour and Employment has written to Director General, ILO twice on this matter.

(e): The  Bonded  Labour  System  has  been  abolished  by  law throughout the country with effect from 25 th  October, 1975 under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Ordinance which was replaced by the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. Instances of prevalence  of  bonded  labour  system  are  noticed  now  and  then  even after its abolition. The root of the problem lies in the social customs and economic compulsions.

Under  the  Bonded  Labour  System  (Abolition)  Act,  1976 identification, release and rehabilitation of freed bonded labour is the Government/union territory.  For these functions, District Magistrates and Sub-Divisional direct responsibility of the concerned State Magistrates have been entrusted with certain duties/responsibilities.

In  order  to  assist  the  State  Governments  in  the  task  of rehabilitation of identified and released bonded labourers, a Centrally Sponsored Plan Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour has been in  operation  since  May,  1978.  The  Government  has  revamped  the Bonded Labourers with effect from 17 th  May, 2016.  The salient features of the 'Central  Sector  Scheme  for  Rehabilitation  of  Bonded  Labourer,  2016'

Centrally Sponsored Plan Scheme for Rehabilitation of are as under:

- (1)      Financial assistance is provided for rehabilitation of a rescued bonded  labourer  at  the  rate  of  rupees  one  lakh  for  adult  male beneficiary,  Rs.  2  lakh  for  special  category  beneficiaries  such  as children including orphans or those rescued from organized & forced begging rings or other forms of forced child labour, and women and Rs. 3 lakh in cases of bonded or forced labour involving extreme cases of deprivation  or  marginalization  such  as  trans-genders,  or  women  or children rescued from ostensible sexual exploitation such as brothels, massage parlours, placement agencies etc., or trafficking, or in cases where  the  District
2. of differently abled  persons,  or in situations Magistrate deems fit.
- (2)      The financial assistance for rehabilitation is 100% funded by the Central Government.
- (3)      The  Scheme  also  provides  for  financial  assistance  of  Rs.  4.50 lakh  per  district  to  the  States  for  conducting  survey  of  bonded labourers, Rs. 1.00 Lakh for evaluatory studies  and  Rs.   10  Lakhs per

State  per  annum  for  awareness  generation.  Central  Government  will give  50%  of  the  amount  required  for  conducting  Survey,  Awareness Generation and Evaluatory Studies in advance. A State may conduct survey  once  in  every  three  years  per  sensitive  district.  A  State  may conduct five Evaluatory Studies per year.

- (4)      The  release  of  rehabilitation  assistance  has  been  linked  with conviction  of  the  accused.  However,  immediate  assistance  upto Rs.  20,000/-  may  be  provided  to  the  rescued  bonded  labour  by  the District Administration irrespective of the status of conviction proceedings.
- (5)      The Scheme provides for creation of a Bonded Labour Rehabilitation  Fund  at  District  level  by  each  State  with  a  permanent corpus of at least Rs. 10 lakh at the disposal of the District Magistrate for extending immediate help to the released bonded labourers.
- (6)      The  benefits  prescribed  above  shall  be,  in  addition  to,  other cash  or  non-cash  benefits  which  a  beneficiary  under  this  scheme  is entitled  to,  by  or  under  any  other  scheme  or  law  applicable  for  the time being in force.

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