New Delhi, July 10, 2026
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian heard 86 cases of alleged bonded labour in brick kilns across various districts of Haryana during an online hearing, directing officials to launch a helpline to help labourers in distress, an official said on Friday.
During the hearing on Thursday on alleged bonded labour in brick kilns across various districts of Haryana, Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi and other officials assured the NHRC that all 86 cases would be reviewed and the requisite information and reports would be submitted thereafter.
They also assured the Commission that full compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court and the applicable laws would be ensured to facilitate immediate remedial action in cases relating to bonded labour, a statement said.
Chairperson Justice Ramasubramanian, while presiding over the hearing, said that in most cases, the records had not been properly examined by the concerned government functionaries.
Therefore, they did not have credible evidence to declare the labourers as bonded labourers, he said.
He urged the officers to remain vigilant while dealing with cases of bonded labour, asking them to follow the requirements laid down in the Standard Operating Procedure for Identification and Rescue of Bonded Labourers and Prosecution of Offenders, issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, while constituting the team for the enquiry into the complaint.
He also emphasised the need to launch a helpline so that labourers could seek help when needed and incidents of bonded labour could be tracked.
Samir Kumar, Joint Secretary, NHRC, highlighted the need to comply with the NHRC directions and take action in accordance with its ‘Advisory 2.0 to Identify, Release and Rehabilitate Bonded Labourers.’
The hearing was attended by senior functionaries of the state government, including Labour Commissioner Vijaykumar Bhavikatti and the District Magistrates (DMs) of all the districts.
The Haryana Chief Secretary, the Labour Commissioner and the DMs presented the bonded labour cases during the hearing. The Commission reviewed the Action Taken Reports (ATRs) submitted by the DMs on the complaints under its consideration, the statement said.(Agency)
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