The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE), on May 14, 2026, issued a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for identification and rescue of bonded labourers and prosecution of offenders under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976. The communication has been addressed to all Chief Secretaries and Administrators of States and Union Territories for implementation.
The revised SOP has been prepared following multiple rounds of stakeholder consultations with the objective of ensuring more effective implementation of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 and the Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourer-2021, as amended from time to time. The SOP is intended to strengthen procedures relating to identification, rescue, rehabilitation and legal action against offenders involved in bonded labour practices.
States and Union Territories have been requested to ensure circulation of the revised SOP to all District Magistrates, Collectors and Sub-Divisional Magistrates for necessary action and implementation at the district level.
[Circular No. S-11011/01/2026-BL (e-194581)]
