2. Bonded labor is a concept in which a person has
to do direct labor for the creditor until the loan
has been paid off.
3. The United Nations has described this as
“modern day slavery”.
Sometimes, people have to keep working for the
landlords for many years to come despite having
paid off their debts years ago.
In some cases, the children are kept as collateral
by the creditor till the debt is paid.
Very common practice in India, Nepal And
Pakistan
4. 2000 BC- bondage of family members was found
in rural debts
7 BC- found in Saparata, Corinth, Athens
Debt bondage contract “nexum” found in
ancient Rome (abolished in 326 BC)
Widespread in ancient Greece in form of
paramonē
Feudalism was common in Europe in higher
middle ages
5. With the discovery of the New World, many
people bonded themselves to their masters to
pay for the travel
In Peru, peonage system existed in 16th century
In 19th century, about 2 million Indians were
transported to various powers in Europe
6. Diffusionism:
After the discovery of the New World, people
from Europe travelled to America and took this
practice (of keeping Black Americans as slaves)
with them.
On travelling to India, British started the practice
of giving loans to Indians and forcing them to
work for them in return.
7. With the migration of people across borders due
to partition of 1947, this custom has developed
its roots in Pakistan.
The majority of agricultural laborers in Sindh are
originated from India (Kohl and Bhil
communities).
8. Conflict Theory:
Generally, people involved in bonded labor
belong to the lower class.
Throughout the world, we see that bonded
laborers are divided within distinct classes:
1) In U.S.A, Black Americans were involved in
bonded labor.
2) In Europe, only the poor class worked as bond
slaves.
9. 3) In Hindu caste system, the lowest cast called the
“untouchables” work as bond slaves.
4) In Pakistan, Federal Lords exploit the commoners
by compelling them with bonded labor.
Cultural Materialism:
Deprivation of basic necessities urges them to
take financial help from the rich.
10. Functionalism:
It serves as a way to fulfill the economic and
material needs of the people belonging to lower
caste.
It helps reinforce cultural imperialism (keep
distinct inequality between the classes).
Through this custom, the landlord is motivated
to control the people under him.
11. Psychological Anthropology:
Despite laws implemented against bonded labor,
villagers’ unwillingness to leave their villages
instigates landlords to control them.
12. Bonded Labor Liberation Front was established
in 1988 with the vision that all humans are
equal.
And the mission of eradicating all types of
bonded labor in South Asia.
There are major stakeholders who could be
effective tools to help eliminate this custom such
as trade unions, political parties and civil society
organizations.
13. Micheal Hudson, The Early Evolution Of Interest Bearing Debt
: Some Unresolved
Issues<http://www.complementarycurrency.org/ccLibrary/m
aterials/The_Early_Evolution_of_Interest-Bearing_Debt-
Hudson.html>
Kurt A. Raaflaub, The Discovery of Freedom in Ancient
Greece, p. 47.
The Enslavement of Dalit and Indigenous Communities in
India, Nepal and Pakistan Through Debt Bondage,UN Sub
commission on the promotion and protection of human
rights.Feb 2001
Edurado Bedoya, Bonded Labor, Coercion and Capitalist
Development in Peru
14. Ste. Croix, The Class Struggle in the Ancient
Greek World, pp. 137, 162.
heesman Herrick, White Servitude in
Pennsylvania: Indentured and Redemption Labor
in Colony and Commonwealth (New York: Negro
University Press, 1969), 26.
Raaflaub, The Discovery of Freedom, p. 49.