Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Labour and Employment Department initiated a two-day training programme for labour officials from five districts on “The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976” on Friday in the city.
The subject of bonded labour was moved from the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare department to the labour department in December 2016. With the subject of bonded labour being new to the labour department, the principal secretary and the commissioner of labour initiated the programme, as it is crucial to impart training to all the officials on the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976. Having organised similar trainings, in districts such as Tiruchy, Coimbatore and Madurai, the final batch of training at Chennai included officials from the districts of Thiruvallur, Vellore, Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai and Cuddalore.
Minister for labour and employment Dr Nilofer Kafil, who inaugurated the training programme, highlighted on appointment of a nodal officer for bonded labour and the state action plan for bonded labour. She mentioned that '125 lakh has been allotted by the state government of Tamil Nadu for eradication of bonded labour. She also emphasised that the government is working diligently to prevent re-bondage by providing the survivors with cattle and land pattas for livelihood.
The commissioner of labour, Nandagopal, urged the labour officials to ask, receive and disburse funds to the rescued labourers under their jurisdiction as the funds and benefits are available but the proposals have to be sent by the officials. He advised the second level officers to be well informed of the bonded labour procedures as it will be helpful when they transition to higher levels in future. He also stated that Tamil Nadu stands first in the abolition of bonded labour.
Totally 80 labour officials are participating in this training. The training will cover topics under human trafficking and bonded labour: Identification, rescue, release and rehabilitation.
This training initiated by the government is a significant effort aiming at training and equipping the labour officials with knowledge about the issue of bonded labour and to curb the issue of bonded labour in Tamil Nadu.
