Bonded Labour System
Finally, The End Has Come

By Prem N Kakkar

IN A historic decision of the government the Kamaiyas or the bonded labourers in the country have been freed with effect from Monday this week. This particular decision has a far reaching consequence when we talk so much about the human rights condition of the people. That such a ancient and reviled system was prevalent in Nepal especially the far western region speaks of the past governments failure to check it.

Commendable

It was a major decision that the cabinet had made in its just over three months of its formation. It is a commendable effort to free the bonded labourers from the clutches of the unscrupulous landlords. The decision taken by the government is the abolition of the bonded labour system, the relics of a bygone age. Despite it being not in conformity with the present times when the fundamental rights have
been guaranteed by the government speaks that the plight of our own countrymen came for attention only in recent times.

Ten years have already elapsed since the ushering in of democracy in the country. The Constitution of the country prohibits any form of exploitation of the citizens in whatever form it may be yet the existence of the Kamaiyas speaks that the constitutional provisions were not followed and the thrust to free the bonded labourers only came a few days back, though belatedly.

The system of bonded labour is a blot in the conscience of the nation. But the decision ending this system does prove that action is taken when the need arises. The bonded labour system thrived on the poverty of the people. And this system thrived especially in the backward regions of the country that too in the Terai region. Fortunately, in the hills such a hateful system is not in existence.

The demand for labour is high in the Terai region especially for agricultural works. Works related to agriculture are not only time consuming but demand strenuous efforts. It is mainly focused on utilising human power in the absence of the modern farming methods. This generated the requirement for more people to till, plant and reap the harvest. The people who had taken loans virtually became slaves in the hands of the landlords.

It may be bewildering but the fact remains that the bond for making a person, who has taken a loan, work as a bonded labour need not be written, it could be merely a verbal agreement. Just this made the debtor fall into the vicious trap. Herein, it must be remembered that the loan was almost never repaid. The debt remained despite the lifetime of serving the landlord. As per the arrangement, on the death of the person concerned his children in turn took his place and the cycle kept on continuing.

One major point that the recent decision has focused on is that the debts that remain need not be paid back. This comes as a relief to those who have just been released from the shackles of slavery to one of freedom which every citizen of the country is entitled to. With this the burden which the Kamaiyas had been forced to carry from generation to generation has been removed. Now they are as free to choose any occupation as any other persons in the country do. The right to profession is now guaranteed.

But as bonded labourers till a few days the Kamaiyas have a daunting task in front of them to make a decent livelihood. It is a matter of fact that almost all of such people and even their children are illiterate. It is only a few who were somewhat conscious as seen by only a hundred or so making it to the capital to stage their protests. In such a situation just freeing them from the bonds of slavery will not be enough.

There is a need to educate the young ones so that in the future they can take up their own professions and become responsible citizens of the country.

The actual bonded labourers who have been freed must be provided with the necessary support and trained in income generating skills so that they will be able to embark on meaningful activity as far as sustaining their lives are concerned.

Without jobs or land on which to work, life will have to be made more attractive. As the efforts that have gone into taking the decision to free them from the bonds more is needed so that they may be able to lead a life of dignity and at the same time be able to fulfill their basic needs. At present, they stand as people in the clothes that they are wearing, the need for shelter is also important. They also belong to the group of the landless folks. The need here grows to provide them with land as far as possible. This will be taking another step forward.

Emphasis

The government has taken a bold step in eliminating the bonded labour system. But in the days to come the emphasis laid on the dignity of the citizen must still remain. Programmes must be formulated to meet their needs. Though there are some programmes targetting the poorest of the poor like B P with the poor, there is a need to accomodate over 70,000 Kamaiyas who have now joined the bandwagon. As long as they were in the clutches of the landlords they were left to fend for themselves but now the situation is different. The significant gesture has come about to the relief of all. The need now grows to make the freed Kamaiyas stand on their own feet.

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