The State Government has set a target to rescue and rehabilitate at least 75 per cent of bonded labourers in next five to seven years.
Chief Secretary AP Padhi revealed this at a workshop on ‘Elimination of bonded labour’ organised by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in collaboration with the State Government here.
It was discussed in the workshop that regular inspections would be conducted in migrant prone areas to facilitate check in bonded labour system.
“SC and ST community people are working like bonded labourers while 90 per cent of them belong to ST community. But due to the failure of Vigilance Monitoring Committee formation in district levels the shameful system still exists, opined noted activist Baghambar Patnaik. He demanded immediate enforcement of existing laws to abolish bonded labour system.
The workshop was chaired by NHRC member Justice D Darmar Murugesan. Justice Murugesan asked the State Government officials to ensure that the laws are implemented strictly.
He asked State Government to form Vigilance Committee to keep cases of bonded labour in Gurgaon under check.
DGP KB Singh, district Collectors of western and central range of Odisha attended the workshop.