Bonded labour persists as modern-day slavery despite five-decade-old law

A man named Shanmugam, who was forced into bonded labor in 2009, is one of many victims still struggling to receive justice and compensation. The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act was enacted in 1976 but its implementation has been slow and inadequate. Despite efforts by the Tamil Nadu government, including a Standard Operating Procedure in 2017, cases are taking years to resolve. The problem persists due to gaps in legislation, lack of coordination among departments, and insufficient rehabilitation measures. Experts warn that while Tamil Nadu is making progress, achieving a complete eradication of bonded labor within the next decade remains challenging.