You are welcome to apply for the National Convention-cum-Training Programme on Eradication of Bonded Labour that will be held at Udaipur, Rajasthan on July 28 and 29, 2018. This two-day training aims to identify and understand the details of bonded labour and slavery in 2018, with the goal of coming together and targeting them by pooling together the efforts of all participants and resources persons. 

Bonded labour (‘Bandhua Majdoori’) is one of the many socio-economic evils in India. Despite the abolition of the Zamindari system, implementation of legislation (Bonded Labour Abolition Act, 1976), establishment of Panchayati Raj, interest shown by Social Action Groups and spirited individuals from society, lakhs of bonded labourers continue to be exploited and carry the yoke of neglect, suffering and frustration in abject silence.

According to the 2016 Global Slavery Index, India has the maximum number of slaves in the world. There are about 46 million people enslaved worldwide with more than 18 million of them in India.

Why should you apply?

If you’re a young lawyer, law student or social activist who intends to use the law to advance human rights, wishes to work in the field of labour rights and fight for the vulnerable, this course will equip you with the necessary skills and insight delivered first-hand from active practitioners in the field.

This Convention is meant to serve as a platform to discuss the need to abolish bonded labour and to shed light on the erroneous application of rehabilitation policy for bonded labour (2016). The objective of the convention is also to highlight the alarming situation of bonded workers. The Convention also aims to address the recurring challenges of non-accessibility to social security and minimum wage which perpetuates people to become victims of forced labour across the informal sector. The National Convention-cum-training programme will provide an opportunity to discuss the miserable conditions of the rescued bonded labourers.

This will help us curb these issues to a certain extent. However, the widespread problem of bonded labour and slavery cannot be put to a halt without continuous efforts of all concerned stakeholders. We hope to make this Convention a more inclusive and bigger one, taking into account all view points and understand the nuances of bonded labour and how to eradicate it from our country.

What is the selection process like?

Participants will be selected based on their application forms and their ability to demonstrate how they would apply the lessons of the Institute. Preference will be given to young lawyers and activists who wish to work in the field of human rights and belong to minority sections and SC/STs. Participants are required to stay for the duration of the course.

How to apply

Applications must be sent by July 20, 2018 and participants will be selected on the basis of these applications. To apply online, click here. If you are unable to use the online method, download the application (Word format) and e-mail the completed form along with your CV to ccri@slic.org.in.

Travel

Participants are responsible for incurring their travel costs to and from the institute.

Fees

The fees for the two-day course will be Rs 5,000.  This covers the training, resource package, spartan accommodation and all meals. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be available for all participants. Minorities, SC/ST and financially weak applicants may apply for concessions.  

For the selected candidates, fees must be paid on or before July 25, 2018, through a mode communicated to them after the selection process is over.

For a tentative programme, please click here.

For more details or questions, please write to nirmal@slic.org.in.