NHRC seeks more inputs on ‘bonded labour’ complaint

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought more details from the district magistrate on the issue of bonded labour in a brick kiln in Noida. Earlier, the district magistrate had filed a report on the issue.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought more details from the district magistrate on the issue of bonded labour in a brick kiln here. Earlier, the district magistrate had filed a report on the issue.

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Sher Singh, resident of Gunnaur Bhim Nagar, Bihar, had sent a complaint, on December 9, 2011, alleging that he and a few persons and their family members were kept as bonded labourers by the owner of Tiranga Brick Company in village Mehamadpur Dankaur in Gautam Budh Nagar district.

On the directions of the NHRC, the district magistrate and labour enforcement officers inspected the site on January 23 this year.
According to the report, there was no restriction on movement of labourers and medical facilities were provided to employees by the brick kiln owner. The report also dismissed the claim of the complainant that children were employed at the
company.

After receiving the report, assistant registrar (law) of the human rights watchdog stated that report did not show that probe team inspected any records maintained by the spot. “It’s not clear whether necessary records as per labour laws are being maintained. The allegations made by complainants were also not verified by the team.”