Supreme Court orders time-bound financial assistance, rehabilitation for rescued workers

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Aparesh Kumar Singh issued a series of directions while hearing two petitions, including one filed by a forced labor survivor, citing delays in financial assistance and institutional deficiencies in identifying and rehabilitating the rescued. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

Since the state’s constitutional duty to bonded laborers does not end with their release, the Supreme Court on Monday (November 2, 2026) asked the Center to lay down a uniform procedure requiring payment of financial assistance within seven days of release. The court also asked the center to consider revising the existing rehabilitation program within three months to increase financial assistance and provide “livelihood support” in case of payment delays.

“The constitutional prohibition of forced labor and the statutory measures taken to enforce it cannot remain mere assurances on paper. The release of a bonded laborer cannot be regarded as a discharge of the state’s duty if the conditions necessary for a dignified life remain unfulfilled. Identification, release and rehabilitation must therefore be understood as interrelated phases of ongoing constitutional responsibility,” the Bench said.

Revised SOP

Taking cognizance of the Union Government’s submission that a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was formulated on May 14 to deal with cases of forced labour, the Bench directed all states and Union Territories to implement it within six months. The Center has also been asked to issue supplementary guidelines within three months in consultation with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The bench said the procedure laid down should ensure that complaints of forced labor are verified usually within 24 hours, followed by immediate relief whenever necessary. Once a person is identified as a worker in the customs declaration, the relevant authority must conduct the necessary investigation and usually issue a release certificate within 24 hours.

The court also addressed the difficulties faced by workers rescued outside their countries of origin, where a lack of coordination between authorities can delay their release and access to rehabilitation benefits. She also drew attention to the language barriers facing rescue and emphasized that the process must remain accessible to the very people it is intended to benefit.

“The process must also be accessible to the persons for whose benefit it has been instituted. The rescued laborers need not know the language spoken in the state where they are identified or the procedures followed by the authorities. Their statements must therefore be recorded with suitable safeguards and information regarding their release, claims and rehabilitation must be communicated in a language they understand,” the Bench ordered.

Nodal Officer

To strengthen inter-state coordination, state governments have been directed to appoint a nodal officer and set up a coordination mechanism within six months. They were further asked to ensure that monitoring committees are constituted at the district and sub-divisional levels as mandated by the Bonded Labor System (Abolition) Act, 1976.

The court also called for regular training and sensitization of police officers and other authorities charged with enforcing the rehabilitation program. He added that any “unauthorized failure” to fulfill legal obligations or meet prescribed deadlines should prompt scrutiny by the relevant supervisory authority and necessary action in accordance with the law.

Acknowledging that those released from forced labor were often left without an independent source of livelihood and left vulnerable to further exploitation, the Bench directed District Magistrates to facilitate access to employment and livelihood options under existing government welfare schemes.

The apex court kept the petitions pending to monitor the implementation of its directions and listed them for further consideration after seven months. It directed the Center to file an affidavit of compliance within four months, while the states and Union Territories were given six months to comply with the directions and another two weeks to record the respective affidavits.

Published – 02 Nov 2026 22:26 IST