June 23, 2009, New Delhi: Saibur Rehman (12) often missed his sister in Sarai Kale Khan, where he worked in a zari unit for 10 to 12 hours everyday, for Rs 35 a week, two meals a day, and access to a telephone. Every time he missed Shaila (14), he would call her, much to the chagrin of his owner.

Rehman, who is now at a children’s home in Burari, misplaced the telephone number he called his sister on at home in Bihar while being rescued from the zari shop by the Bachpan Bachao Andolan, an NGO. But he knows he is on his way back home and will be with his sister once again.

He was trafficked from Bihar almost a year ago, when his owner in Sarai Kale Khan bought him from his parents. “He paid them around Rs 4,000 for some months but I am not sure about it,” Rehman said.

The Bachpan Bachao Andolan and Delhi Police rescued 52 bonded child labourers, trafficked from various states and forced to work in embroidery units for 12 to 13 hours a day under extreme conditions, with help from the sub-divisional magistrate on Monday.

Bachpan Bachao Andolan officials said Lallan Singh, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Defence Colony, said that upon speaking to the children he realised that they were bonded labourers. The children will now get release certificates under the Bonded Labour Act.

“This release certificate entitles them to a rehabilitation package of Rs 20,000, the availing of government schemes like the Indira Awas Yojana, housing schemes, etc on a priority basis. Most importantly, the children would be enrolled in NCLP School,” Umesh Gupta, Bachpan Bachao Andolan media coordinator, said.

Some of the parents of these children had been promised a Muslim education, some a craft that would make them self sufficient but most were lured by money. Now, as the children think of going back to their families, to schools, love and care, it seems like an uneasy transition. “What will I do at home? Roam around with my sister, what else. I will work as well,” Rehman said.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/52-children-rescued-from-zari-units/480108/