A STUDY conducted recently by the Mirpurkhas police has found that since January this year, 648 bonded labourers have been recovered by the police and liberated by the courts. However, no investigations have been conducted against landlords, and no one has been brought to book. The report says that upon being freed, such labourers do not come forward to lodge formal complaints — despite the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1992, which treats forced labour as a cognisable offence. It also notes that the practice is prohibited under the constitution, and debts or advances used as a pretext for enslaving people are legally void. Bonded labour is a continuing scourge in many parts of the country. It is therefore imperative that the justice machinery be moved against the offenders. The police observation that freed labourers do not register FIRs against their persecutors is not surprising when the power wielded by landlords and others over uneducated labourers is taken into consideration. A large-scale campaign is needed to make rural communities aware of their rights and possible legal recourse. Workers must be armed with knowledge and the support of the police so that they can take active steps towards bringing to book landlords who retain bonded labour.

It must be kept in mind, however, that important landlords wield considerable influence over the justice systems in their areas. Required, therefore, is an investigation into whether freed labourers are discouraged in any way against lodging FIRs. In terms of ending bonded labour, putting the onus on the workers is tantamount to passing the buck; the police department must look inwards and examine whether there have been any refusals to register FIRs. Furthermore, police officials in rural areas must be sensitised to the issue and encouraged to put before freed labourers the option of registering a criminal case.