Will make proposal on financial aid to rescued bonded labourers: NHRC to SC

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday told the Supreme Court it would hold discussion with stake holders and come out with a "concrete proposal" to resolve the issue of immediate financial assistance to the rescued bonded labourers. A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan was hearing a petition seeking enforcement of the fundamental rights of people trafficked as bonded workers. The issue of immediate financial assistance to them cropped up during the arguments in the matter. Senior advocate H S Phoolka, appearing for one of the petitioners, said not even 10 per cent of such labourers were paid financial assistance or compensation. He said the petitioner organisation has rescued around 11,000 children but financial assistance was paid to only 719 of them. The counsel appearing for the NHRC said she can sit with the stake holders and discuss this issue. The bench told the NHRC counsel to hold talks with the petitioners and other stake holders finalise the