Download Bare Act of The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 (PDF version)

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Introduction

The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 is one of India’s strongest laws against modern slavery. It was passed on 9 February 1976 and came into force on 25 October 1976. The law says: Bonded labour is completely abolished from the day the Act started. Any custom or agreement that keeps a person in bondage is now useless and illegal. Even today, thousands of poor workers are freed every year under this Act.

Scope and Objective

Who is protected? Every poor worker trapped in forced labour because of debt or advance money. Simple Objectives:

• Immediately end the bonded labour system forever

• Free every bonded labourer at once

• Cancel all debts used to keep people in bondage

• Give freed workers money, land, and job help

• Punish the people who keep bonded labourers

Key Definitions – Explained with Real-Life Examples

1. Bonded Labour Any labour or service given because of a debt or advance, where the worker:

   • Is forced to work

   • Cannot leave

   • Gets little or no proper wages

   • Cannot change employer Real Example: Ramu in Rajasthan took ₹20,000 advance from a brick kiln owner in 2018. He works 16 hours daily for 7 years but the owner says “debt is still ₹50,000 because of interest and food”. Ramu cannot leave → classic bonded labour.

2. Bonded Debt Any loan or advance (even from generations ago) because of which a person is forced to work.Example: Father died, son is told “work here till grandfather’s ₹5,000 loan is paid” → illegal.

3. Bonded Labour System The whole practice of keeping people in bondage through debt, threat, or custom.Example: Entire families working in stone quarries of Uttar Pradesh for generations because of small advances.

4. Advance Any money or grain given before work starts that traps the worker. Example: Labour contractor gives ₹10,000 to a tribal family in Odisha to come and cut sugarcane → they cannot return home → bonded.

Applicability of the Law

The Act applies to the whole of India and to every kind of work – agriculture, brick kilns, carpet weaving, mines, construction, beedi making, domestic work, etc. There is no exception. Even one person kept in bondage is covered.

Important Provisions of the Act – Step-by-Step Simple Explanation

1. Immediate Abolition (Section 4)

From 25 October 1976, the bonded labour system stands abolished. Every bonded labourer is free and discharged from that moment. No one can be forced to give labour anymore.

2. All Debts Cancelled (Section 5 & 6)

Every debt or advance used for bondage becomes fully extinguished. The labourer does not have to repay even one rupee. Real Example 2025: A family in Telangana worked 15 years for ₹15,000 advance. After rescue, the Magistrate cancelled the entire debt – family owes nothing.

3. Property of Bonded Labourer Returned (Section 7)

Any land, house, cattle, or tools taken by the creditor must be returned immediately.

4. Vigilance Committees in Every District & Sub-division (Section 13 & 14)

Every district and block must have a Vigilance Committee:

• District Magistrate (Chairman)

• SC/ST representatives

• Social workers, NGOs Job → Identify, rescue, and rehabilitate bonded labourers regularly.

5. Duty to Free Bonded Labourers (Section 10–12)

Every officer, village panchayat, and citizen has the duty to report bonded labour. District Magistrate can issue Release Certificate instantly.

Real Rescue Process (2025):

• NGO gets tip → informs DM → raid with police → workers freed same day → Release Certificate given → ₹30,000 immediate cash + bank account opened.

6. Rehabilitation Package (Central Government Scheme – Updated 2025)

Every freed bonded labourer gets:

• Immediate cash help: ₹30,000 (general) / ₹1 lakh (women, children, disabled) / ₹3 lakh (extreme cases)

• 1–2 acres land or house site

• Job card under MGNREGA

• Free ration card, Aadhaar, bank account

• Children admitted to school + hostel

Real Example 2025: In January 2025, 42 workers freed from a brick kiln in Guntur (Andhra Pradesh) → each got ₹1 lakh cash + land allotment within 3 months.

7. Offences and Punishment (Section 16–18)

Keeping bonded labour is a cognizable and non-bailable offence. Punishment:

• Up to 3 years jail + fine Trial in Magistrate court – fast process.

Real Example 2024–25: A landlord in Bihar kept 18 families in bondage → sentenced to 3 years jail + ₹2 lakh fine in 2025.

8. Protection from Eviction (Section 8)

No one can evict freed bonded labourers from their homestead land.

Summary in One Line

The 1976 Bonded Labour Act says – no Indian can be kept in slavery because of debt; every bonded worker becomes free instantly, all loans are cancelled, and the government gives money and land for a new life.

If you see anyone working like a slave because of an old loan, call the District Magistrate or Childline 1098 – one call can free a family forever!