**Executive Summary**
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) conducted a virtual hearing on April 16, 2026, to address 216 cases of alleged bonded labour in brick kilns across Uttar Pradesh. The Commission highlighted significant official apathy and procedural failures in implementing protective laws. The State Labour Commissioner has committed to submitting comprehensive reports on all cases within a three-week deadline.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Hearing and Oversight**
* The NHRC heard 216 cases involving alleged bonded labour in various districts of Uttar Pradesh.
* The hearing was presided over by Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian and attended by the Secretary General and senior state functionaries, including District Magistrates (DMs).
* The Commission reviewed Action Taken Reports (ATRs) previously submitted by DMs regarding these complaints.
**Administrative Failures**
* The Chairperson noted that official apathy and inaction have hindered the resolution of bonded labour issues.
* Specific violations identified include the non-production of records and non-compliance with minimum wage norms.
* Administrative omissions have denied labourers their legal rights to rescue, release, and rehabilitation.
**Legal and Regulatory Compliance**
* Authorities were urged to bridge gaps in the implementation of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, and the Central Sector Scheme.
* The NHRC emphasised that failure to act leaves labourers in penury and highly vulnerable to exploitation.
* State officials assured the Commission of full compliance with Supreme Court directives and applicable remedial laws.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Labour Commissioner**
**Impact:** Criticized for administrative delays and oversaw the failure to address reported violations.
**Action Required:** Conduct a full review of all 216 cases and submit the requisite information and reports to the NHRC within three weeks.
**District Magistrates (DMs) and District Functionaries**
**Impact:** Identified as the primary officers responsible for the "diligence" gaps and the failure to implement the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act.
**Action Required:** Address the plight of labourers by strictly implementing the law, ensuring a dignified life for victims, and taking immediate remedial actions as per Supreme Court directives.
**Bonded Labourers**
**Impact:** Affected by poverty, exploitation, and the denial of rightful claims to rescue and rehabilitation due to official inaction.
**Action Required:** No direct action required from the labourers; however, they are the intended recipients of the mandated rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
Key Entities Referenced
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): The statutory body that conducted the hearing for 216 cases of alleged bonded labour.
Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976: The primary legislation governing the rescue, release, and rehabilitation of bonded labourers.
Uttar Pradesh: The central location of the brick kilns where the alleged bonded labour cases were reported.
Central Sector Scheme: The rehabilitation scheme used alongside the 1976 Act to provide relief to rescued labourers.
Justice V. Ramasubramanian: The Chairperson of the NHRC who presided over the hearing and highlighted official apathy regarding bonded labour.
National Human Rights Commission
NHRC, India hears online 216 cases of alleged
bonded labour cases in Uttar Pradesh brick kilns
Chairperson, Justice V. Ramasubramanian highlights official
apathy in addressing bonded labour issues
Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal says, any omission or
inaction on the part of the authorities leaves these labourers
in penury and vulnerable to exploitation
The State Labour Commissioner assures submission of
reports in all the cases within three weeks to the Commission
Compliance with Supreme Court directives and law also
assured addressing bonded labour issues in the state
Posted On: 16 APR 2026 7:43PM by PIB Delhi
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India today heard online 216 cases of alleged bonded
labour in the brick kilns across various districts of Uttar Pradesh. Chairperson, Justice V.
Ramasubramanian presided over the virtual hearing in the presence of Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal,
Registrar (Law), Shri Joginder Singh and senior officers. The hearing saw the active participation from
senior functionaries of the state government, including the Labour Commissioner, District Magistrates and
Additional District Magistrates, among others.Justice Ramasubramanian appreciated their presence but said that such a hearing may not have been
necessary if the officers performed their duties diligently. Despite reports highlighting non-production of
records and non-compliance with minimum wage norms, among other violations, the authorities have
failed to address the issue of bonded labour. He said that such omissions deny the labourers their rightful
claim of rescue, release and rehabilitation under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 and the
Central Sector Scheme.
NHRC, India Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal underscored the gaps in the implementation of the
Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 and rehabilitation of bonded labourers. He urged the district
functionaries to address the plight of the labourers and give them a dignified life by implementing the law.
He emphasised that any omission or inaction on the part of the authorities leaves these labourers in penury
and they become victims of exploitation.
The Commission reviewed Action Taken Reports (ATRs) submitted by the DMs on the complaints under
its consideration. The State Labour Commissioner assured that all the 216 cases will be reviewed,
following which the requisite information and reports will be submitted to the Commission within threeweeks. The authorities also assured that they would ensure full compliance with the Supreme Court
directives and applicable laws for immediate remedial actions to address the issue of bonded labour.
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