Bonded labour in India

Bonded labour is one of such forms of exploitation which has survived till to-day. Moneylenders who invariably happen to be landlords use the institution of debt-bondage to extract work from the bonded labourers who under the yoke of debt burden are forced to live in the semi-slave conditions. The rural lords have been able to maintain the institution by resort ing to usury, the rates of interest being higher than 100 per cent per annum.

Most of the bonded labourers happen to be Untouchables whose forefathers were Sudras in older days. Their status in Indian villages continues to be not much different than the earlier days because they happen to be the poorest social strata. With increasing pauperisation and misery their ability to earn an independent living has declined considerably. They are un able lo sell their labour power since it is already mortaged for the debts incurred by them or their ancestors.