NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, INDIA CHAPTER 9 Rights of Bonded, Migrant and Child Labour and other Labour related issues 9.1 The Supreme Court, vide its order dated 11.11.97 in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 3922/1985 People’s Union for Civil Liberties Vs. State of Tamil Nadu and Others and report in 1997 (7) SCALE (SP) 17, entrusted the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with the responsibility of monitoring and overseeing the implementation of its directions as well as provisions of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act (BLSAA), 1976 in all States/Union Territories (UTs). 9.2 The Commission has consistently held that the prevalence of bonded labour system is one of the worst violations of human rights in general and Right to Life as enshrined in Article-21 of the Constitution. The understanding of the right to life in the said Article is not an animal like existence but a human life with dignity. It has been well settled that the right to life under Article-21 includes all those faculties and means by which life becomes meaningful; it goes beyond the realm of a bare physical and biological existence. 9.3 Forced/bonded labour is viewed as a crime against humanity by the Commission. It is one of the worst forms of cruelty, indignity and deprivation. This is anathema to civilized human conscience. It is a denial of the inalienable human rights of every human being and every citizen. It is a blot on civil society and a jolt to the conscience of the Nation State. 9.4 The Commission has successfully organized three National Seminars and conducted 50 Workshops till the time of drafting of this report on matters related to bonded labour in various parts of the Country. The Commission aims for a proactive approach towards elimination of bonded labour by sensitizing concerned state authorities and spreading awareness among citizens of India. So far, these workshops have played a pivotal role in sensitizing the concerned authorities in matters related to bonded labour and the Commission is committed to continue its endeavours on the subject. 9.5 The Commission also receives a spate of complaints from time to time regarding issues such as: exploitation and harassment of persons who have been victims of bonded labour system (adults, adolescents and children included); indecent behaviour with women accompanying the inter-state migrant workmen working and living under bonded and slave like conditions; outraging the modesty of such women; non-payment of wages or payment of wages lower than notified minimum wages or market wages (where such minimum wages have not been notified). Taking cognizance of such complaints, the Commission redresses them after thorough investigations and field visits. 120 ANNUAL REPORT 2019-20