FAQs
Questions we are asked most often.
If your question is not here, ask us directly — the answer usually ends up on this page afterwards.
01
Reporting and getting help
Do I have to give my name to report something?+
No. The report form has an anonymous option and anonymous reports are verified and acted on in the same way. You still receive a reference number so you can follow up without identifying yourself.
Can I report on behalf of someone else?+
Yes, and most reports come this way — from relatives, neighbours, or people who noticed something at a worksite. You do not need the affected worker’s permission to tell us, though we will seek their consent before acting on their case.
What happens immediately after I report?+
Your report becomes a case file with an ID. A field coordinator verifies the details on the ground, usually within 24 to 48 hours where there is urgency. We do not act on unverified reports.
Does any of this cost money?+
No. Legal advice, complaint drafting, court representation, RTI applications and welfare registration are all free. We never ask a worker to pay at any stage.
I am not in Delhi. Can you still help?+
We work across 16+ states at both ends of migration corridors. If a case falls outside where we operate, we will say so directly and refer you to an organisation that can help rather than leaving you waiting.
02
Bonded labour and rescue
What actually counts as bonded labour?+
Working under an advance or debt where you are not free to leave, or where wages are withheld against that debt. It does not require physical restraint — being told you cannot go until the debt is cleared is sufficient. It is prohibited by the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, regardless of what was agreed.
What is a Release Certificate and why does it matter so much?+
It is the document issued by the District Magistrate confirming a person was held in bonded labour. Without it, the statutory rehabilitation grant cannot be claimed and the debt is not formally cancelled. A rescue without a release certificate leaves the worker legally where they started, which is why we pursue one in every case.
What happens after a rescue?+
Release certificate, then the statutory rehabilitation grant claim, wage recovery, identity documents, school enrolment for children and livelihood support. We track these for 24 months. The rescue is the start of the case, not the end of it.
Is the employer prosecuted?+
Where the evidence supports it, an FIR is filed and pursued. Prosecution is slower and less certain than wage recovery, so we do not let it hold up the worker’s rehabilitation.
03
Donations and finances
How is my donation used?+
Legal filing costs, field team travel and time, emergency relief for newly released families, and documentation. Our annual reports break down expenditure by programme.
Is my donation eligible for tax deduction?+
Donations are receipted, and 80G eligibility depends on our registration being current for the relevant assessment year. The receipt you receive states the position at the time of your gift.
Can I fund a specific case or programme?+
Yes. Restricted gifts to a named programme are tracked separately and reported against. For case-specific funding, contact us directly so we can confirm what is realistic without compromising the worker’s privacy.
Do you accept foreign contributions?+
Foreign contributions are governed by FCRA and can only be accepted if the organisation holds current registration. Please contact us before making an international transfer so we can confirm the correct route.
04
Volunteering and certificates
How much time do I need to give as a volunteer?+
Most roles are a few hours a week. We ask for consistency over six months rather than short bursts, because workers should not have to re-explain their case to a new person each month.
Do volunteers get a certificate?+
Yes, on completing the committed hours. Every certificate carries a code that can be checked on our verification page, so an employer or university can confirm it independently.
How do I verify a certificate someone has shown me?+
Enter the code on the certificate verification page. It will confirm the holder’s name, the type of certificate, the issue date and whether it is currently valid.
Can I volunteer remotely?+
Several roles — translation, documentation, data entry, research support and design — are entirely remote. Field roles require being in one of our operating districts.
Still need an answer?
Ask us directly — we reply to every message, usually within two working days.