Work
Someone is being forced to work, held, trafficked, or a child is working
Bonded labour, trafficking and child labour are crimes. The District Magistrate must free bonded workers, and freed people are entitled to rehabilitation money.
Answer a few questions and get your list →What the law says
The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 abolishes all bonded debts; the District Magistrate must identify, release and issue release certificates. Freed bonded labourers get rehabilitation assistance under the Central Sector Scheme. Trafficking (Section 143) and unlawful compulsory labour are offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Children under 14 cannot be employed, and adolescents (14–18) cannot work in hazardous jobs, under the Child and Adolescent Labour Act, 1986. Complaints about child labour can be made on the PENCIL portal or to 1098.
General information, not legal advice.
Papers that usually help
- Address or location of the workplace, and the employer’s name
Needed for a rescue. - Names, ages and photos of the people affected
Helps identify them. - Details of the advance or loan given and how it is being "repaid"
Bonded labour is proved by the debt and lack of freedom. - Calls, messages or voice notes from the person
Direct evidence. - Details of the agent or placement agency
Agents are often part of trafficking. - Age proof of the child
Decides which offence applies. - Written complaint to the District Magistrate / SDM
The DM must act on bonded labour. - Complaint on the PENCIL portal or to 1098
Triggers rescue.
Questions Saboot will ask you
- What is happening?
- Who are you?
- Do you know where they are?
Sources
- Ministry of Labour — bonded and child labour
- PENCIL — child labour complaint portal
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
- NALSA — free legal aid
Common situations
- Family member forced to work to repay a loan
- Child working in a shop or factory
- Relative taken to another state for work and can’t return
- Girl taken with a job promise and now missing
- A girl from our village was taken for a job and has not come back
Also searched as: bonded labour, bandhua mazdoor, forced labour, debt bondage, brick kiln, not allowed to leave work, human trafficking, trafficking, sold, child labour, child working, child domestic worker