The forced labour driving India's economic dream
- Human Rights Research Center
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Author: Peter Clarkin, MA
June 12, 2025
HRRC strongly condemns the use of forced labour in India. The rights of roughly 390 million informal workers are being disregarded as people are forced to work in inhumane conditions. More must be done by the Indian government to represent and protect the individuals who are employed within India’s unorganised sector.
![Workers in India [Image source: Telegraph India]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e28a6b_f77d0ac881b54db2bb448078c703d2f6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_90,h_51,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_avif,quality_auto/e28a6b_f77d0ac881b54db2bb448078c703d2f6~mv2.png)
There is a growing belief that the exploitation of labour in India is at a far greater level than previously thought. Obvious signs of forced labour, such as withheld wages, coercion and seven-day working weeks, are clearly prevalent in India’s factories, and action is immediately needed to ensure that all workers are treated fairly and with dignity.
At present the Indian economy is the fourth largest in the world with a GDP of $4.19 trillion (USD), and a workforce of approximately 470 million. However, when you look deeper into those numbers you discover that only around 80 million workers are in the organised sector, leaving 390 million in the unorganised sector. This leaves almost 400 million people possibly working without a proper contract, no guaranteed benefits and as a result particularly susceptible to exploitation.
The fields of agriculture, construction, domestic work, and small-scale manufacturing are overwhelmingly populated by unregistered workers, and while their working life has always been incredibly arduous, recent issues such as climate change and digitisation have exacerbated the situation.
Vulnerability to exploitation has also been increased by the fact that job opportunities within the country are shrinking. The desperation for employment that individuals may now possess allows employers to reduce the conditions they can offer. This also creates an environment in which informal workers are powerless to make demands of their employers as they are not protected by employment law.
Experts have claimed that the regular working class in India have no interest in labour laws, as the regulations the government introduces are likely to have no effect on their day to day life. The registration of more informal workers in the country should be one of the first crucial steps taken by the Indian government, as workers desperately require the support and protections that should be part of the backbone of a fair working life.
Glossary
Arduous – Very difficult and requiring a lot of effort.
Coercion – Forcing someone to do something by using threats or pressure.
Digitisation – The process of converting information into digital form.
Exacerbated – Made a problem or situation worse.
Exploitation of labour – Using workers unfairly to benefit from their work without proper pay or conditions.
Forced labour – Work that people are made to do against their will, often under threat or punishment.
GDP (Gross Domestic Product) – The total value of all goods and services produced in a country.
Informal workers – Often a contractor rather than an employee, does not have a uniform or dress code, might be a seasonal or temp worker, moves from employer to employer, doesn't have taxes taken from his pay checks and works this way out of necessary more often than desire.
Organised sector – Part of the economy with regular jobs, fixed wages, and legal protections (like benefits and contracts).
Powerless – Without the ability or strength to change or control a situation.
Prevalent – Common or widespread in a particular area or group.
Shrinking – Becoming smaller in size, number, or amount.
Small-scale manufacturing – Production of goods in small amounts, often by local businesses or small factories.
Susceptible – Easily affected or influenced by something.
Unorganised sector – Part of the economy with informal jobs, little job security, and no legal protections.
Vulnerability – The state of being exposed to harm or danger.
Workforce – All the people who are working or able to work in a country or organisation.
Working class – People who do jobs that involve physical work or basic services, often earning hourly wages and not having much wealth or job security.
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