Hans News Service New Delhi

NHRC chairperson Justice V Ramasubramanian (retd) has urged officers to remain vigilant while dealing with cases of bonded labour and emphasised the need to launch a helpline so that labourers can seek help when needed. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on July 9 heard online 86 cases of alleged bonded labour in brick kilns across various districts of Haryana, the rights panel said on Friday. Justice Ramasubramanian presided over the hearing that saw participation of several senior officials of the state government and various district magistrates in Haryana. He said in most of the cases, the records had “not been properly examined” by the government functionaries concerned. “Therefore, they did not have credible evidence to declare the labourers as bonded labourers,” the rights panel said in a statement. The NHRC chief urged the officers to remain vigilant while dealing with cases of bonded labour.