Over 240 bonded labourers rescued in 2024-25; Parliamentary panel calls for stronger rehabilitation efforts

Nearly 250 people were freed from bonded labor between April 2024 and January 2025, with the majority from Tamil Nadu.

A parliamentary panel expressed concern over the ongoing issue, calling for a "multifaceted approach" to improve the rehabilitation process, including vocational training to enhance employability.

Since 1978, over 297,000 individuals have been rescued, with ₹106.25 crore disbursed for their rehabilitation.

Compared to 673 in 2022–2023 and 468 in 2023–2024, 246 bonded laborers were rescued and rehabilitated in 2024–2025 through Jan 31.

The panel described this as a "persistent decrease," which is “encouraging.”

The 246 people rescued this fiscal year include 119 men, 51 women, and 76 children. Of these, 196 were freed in Tamil Nadu, including 105 from Chennai, 18 from Sivagangai, 17 from Namakkal, and 15 from Chengalpattu, while 50 were rescued from Dausa in Rajasthan.

They have received financial assistance totaling about ₹67.40 lakh.

Under the Rehabilitation of Bonded Laborer Scheme, 2021, rehabilitation assistance of ₹1 lakh, ₹2 lakh, or ₹3 lakh is provided to each rescued individual, based on their category and level of exploitation.

There is also a provision for immediate financial assistance of up to ₹30,000, which is deducted from the final rehabilitation amount.

According to the panel’s report on the Demands for Grants (2025-26) for the Ministry of Labor and Employment, ₹5.15 crore were spent in 2022-23 on the rehabilitation of bonded laborers, while it was ₹1.34 crore in 2023-24.

“...there is a persistent decrease in the number of bonded laborers rehabilitated during the last three years, which is encouraging. The committee, however, is distressed to note that the scourge of bonded labor still persists in society and is spreading its tentacles,” the report stated.

The panel also informed the ministry that sufficient funding for the education of rescued children must be made available and that extra attention should be given to ensure their reintegration into the formal educational system.