- Modern slavery refers to exploitative practices like forced labour, human trafficking, and debt bondage that persist under coercion and a lack of freedom. Countries like the UK (Modern Slavery Act 2015) and Australia (2018) have enacted dedicated laws, while Germany and France have recognized and legislated against it. Though India lacks a unified statute or terminology, similar exploitative practices remain prevalent.
Current Status of Modern Slavery
- Meaning: Modern slavery refers to exploitative situations where individuals are controlled through coercion, violence, deception, or abuse of power, and cannot leave freely.
- It includes forced labour, human trafficking, debt bondage, child labour, forced marriage, and sexual exploitation.
- Data & Facts:
- Highest Global Burden: India recorded 11 million people in modern slavery, with a prevalence of 8 per 1,000 people (GSI).
- Gendered Impact: Women and girls account for 54% of modern slavery victims.
- Ranking: Ranked 6th in Asia-Pacific and 34th globally.
- Global Count: 50 million people are trapped in modern slavery globally (Global Slavery Index)
Credit: End Slavery Now
Causes of Modern Slavery in India
- Poverty and Debt Trap: Chronic poverty and inability to repay loans push families into bonded labour, especially in rural sectors like agriculture and brick kilns.
- Caste-based Vulnerability: Over 84% of bonded labourers belong to SC/ST/OBC communities, highlighting structural social discrimination (MoLE).
- Legal Illiteracy: Most victims are unaware that practices like slavery are illegal, limiting their ability to seek legal redress.
- Weak Enforcement: Despite existing laws, only 12,760 victims were rescued between 2016 and 2021 from an estimated 1.8 crore bonded labourers (MoLE).
- Informality and Unsafe Migration: With over 90% of India’s workforce in the informal sector (NSSO), migrant workers face a high risk of forced labour and exploitation.
Key Implications of Modern Slavery In India
- Widespread Prevalence: India tops the in modern slavery with 11 million people in modern slavery, reflecting systemic exploitation (Global Slavery Index 2023).
- Economic Drain: Forced labour generates $236 billion globally; India’s large informal sector is highly vulnerable (ILO).
- Caste-Based Exploitation: Most labourers are Dalits and Adivasis, reinforcing caste hierarchies and inequality.
- Intergenerational Poverty: 70% of rescued bonded labourers lacked education, trapping families in debt cycles (IJM).
- Gendered Impact: Over 50% of trafficking victims were women, highlighting gendered dimensions of modern slavery (NCRB).
Government Initiatives to Eliminate Modern Slavery in India
- Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976: Abolishes all forms of bonded labour and mandates the release and rehabilitation of bonded labourers.
- Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers: Provides financial assistance (₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh), skill training, and legal aid to rescued victims for reintegration.
- Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs): Established across states to investigate trafficking cases, rescue victims, and coordinate with law enforcement.
- Ujjawala Scheme: Aims at prevention, rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration of victims of trafficking, especially for commercial sexual exploitation.
- Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS): Offers protection and rehabilitation services to trafficked and exploited children through Child Welfare Committees and Shelter Homes.
- Skill India Mission & PMKVY: Enhances the employability of vulnerable populations, including rescued bonded labourers, by providing vocational training and livelihood opportunities.
Constitutional Protection
- Article 23 (Prohibition of Forced Labour): Prohibits human trafficking and forced labour (begar) in any form; any contravention is a punishable offence under law.
- Article 24 (Prohibition of Child Labour): Prohibits employment of children below 14 years in factories, mines, or any hazardous occupations.
- Article 39(e) & (f) (Directive Principles of State Policy): Directs the State to ensure that children and workers are not abused and are protected from exploitation and forced labour.
- Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty): Interpreted by the Supreme Court to include the right to live with dignity, which encompasses protection from exploitative labour conditions.
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Measures to Eliminate Modern Slavery
- Comprehensive Legal Framework: Enact a dedicated Modern Slavery Law to consolidate fragmented statutes and criminalise all forms of exploitation.
- Corporate Accountability in Supply Chains: Mandate Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) and Strengthen BRSR Norms to Monitor Forced Labour in Domestic and Global Supply Chains.
- Strengthen Anti-Trafficking Enforcement: Enhance the capacity, resources, and coordination of Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) for effective investigation and prosecution.
- Victim-Centred Rehabilitation: Ensure timely compensation, legal protection, and livelihood support to reintegrate survivors with dignity.
- Community Awareness and Prevention: Launch targeted public awareness campaigns in vulnerable regions to prevent recruitment and report trafficking activities.
Modern slavery is a grave violation of human dignity that persists despite constitutional & legal safeguards; addressing it requires a multi-pronged approach such as systemic reform, social awareness, & global cooperation. As Nelson Mandela said, “To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.”
Reference: The Hindu
PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 250
Q. Despite constitutional and legal safeguards, modern slavery persists in India. In this context, examine the responsible factors and suggest measures for it. (150 Words) (10 Marks)
Approach
- Introduction: Write brief meaning of modern slavery and mention fact as well.
- Body: Write responsible factors for modern slavery and suggest measures .
- Conclusion: Emphasis on multi-pronged approach of enforcement, rehabilitation, and reform for its lasting eradication.
