Bhubaneswar: More than 200 bonded labour survivors from across Odisha on Thursday urged the State Government to strengthen anti-trafficking measures, ensure speedy prosecution of traffickers and expand rehabilitation support during a programme marking the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. The event also commemorated the golden jubilee of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976.
The event, organised by Shramavahini, a survivor-led collective with over 4,000 members, brought together government officials, legal experts, civil society organisations, academics and survivors to discuss ways to strengthen prevention, rescue, rehabilitation and prosecution mechanisms against bonded labour.
Addressing the gathering, Law, Works and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan assured that the Odisha government would take stringent action against traffickers, middlemen and agents involved in recruiting vulnerable people into bonded labour.
“The Odisha Government will ensure strict legal action against every middleman and agent involved in trafficking vulnerable people for bonded labour. We will strengthen investigation and prosecution so that offenders are brought to justice swiftly and face stringent punishment,” the Minister said, adding that the government was committed to creating a strong deterrent against bonded labour and human trafficking.
On the occasion, the Minister released the Odia translation of the revised Central Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Bonded Labour, aimed at guiding frontline officials in the identification, rescue, release, repatriation and rehabilitation of bonded labourers, including those rescued from other states. Officials said making the SOP available in Odia would improve implementation at the district level and strengthen coordination among government agencies.
He also unveiled “Restored in Odisha,” a publication documenting the state’s initiatives, policy reforms, rescue operations and rehabilitation efforts to combat bonded labour and human trafficking.
A panel discussion involving representatives of the Odisha Government, the Odisha State Legal Services Authority, legal experts and civil society organisations focused on improving victim identification, ensuring access to justice, strengthening inter-state coordination and enhancing community-based prevention mechanisms.
Survivors shared their experiences during the consultation, highlighting the importance of timely rescue, sustained rehabilitation and community support in rebuilding their lives and preventing re-trafficking. Representatives from various districts also noted that survivors were increasingly taking leadership roles in raising awareness on safe migration, identifying vulnerable communities, supporting rescued labourers in accessing government schemes and strengthening vigilance against trafficking.
Shramavahini secretary Ranjita Rana, herself a released bonded labour survivor, urged the state government to institutionalise February 9 as Bonded Labour Abolition Day across Odisha to strengthen awareness and prevention efforts. She said similar initiatives in states such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana had helped reinforce community vigilance.
The survivor collective also demanded faster investigation and prosecution of traffickers and exploitative employers, stronger inter-state coordination, and a more holistic rehabilitation framework that includes access to livelihoods, housing, healthcare, education, social security and other welfare schemes to reduce the risk of re-trafficking.
The consultation concluded with government representatives, survivor leaders, legal institutions, academics and civil society organisations reaffirming their commitment to working together towards the eradication of bonded labour and human trafficking in Odisha.
