New Delhi,  6th May, 2010

In the claustrophobic, narrow alleys of Govindpuri area in South Delhi, The Delhi state Task Force on Elimination of Child Labour, local Police and Labour Department on an investigation and complaint filed by Bachpan Bachao Andolan rescued 54 children from button making units. The children, falling in the age bracket of 7-14 years have mostly been trafficked from Bihar.

To avoid the word from getting spread, the BBA activists raided six different locations in the same area simultaneously. All the units were illegally running in the residential area. The owners had employed adults on the first and second floor and in almost all the units, children were locked on the top floor and made to work from morning 10 am to 1 am in the night. In one of the units, 11 children ate, slept and worked in a 20x10 room that was ill ventilated and had little light.

All the 3 instances of rescue have shown that majority of children have been trafficked from West Bengal and Bihar and these places have become major source areas of child trafficking for forced labour. Once again, the children had similar stories of hard labour, exploitation, abuse and little or no wages.

Raju (name changed), 7 years said, “My chacha (uncle) brought me here from Bihar six months back. My parents were told that I would be paid. It’s been six months that I have been working here; I have not been given a single penny. They tell me this is the training period so I would only get my lunch. A boy from my village gives me money to eat breakfast and dinner. I used to make 4000-5000 buttons in one day and it was very important for us to completer our target.”

Sohan (name changed), 8 year old had been working in the factory since 2 years. He used to get 50 Rs a week as pocket money in which he had to pay for his breakfast and dinner. “I could not save any money. It has been two years that I went to my home. I am happy that I am free and can study in good schools now, “said Sohan in an emphatic voice.  

SDM Kalkaji, Mr. V.P Singh said, “10 employers have been arrested in the raid. We would ensure that they are booked under stringent penal provisions and ensure compensation/ rehabilitation of the victims by the Government under the law.”

Mr. R. S Chaurasia, Chairperson, Bachpan Bachao Andolan said, “It is shocking to see children as young as 6-7 years working from morning to evening in temperatures above 45 degrees. It goes on to prove that children are only employed because they are the cheapest supply of labour. I am pleased that Govt. is taking strict legal action against employers/traffickers. It was also heartening to see young activists (former child labourers turned activists) from Mukti Caravan campaign leading the rescue operation and ensuring that rescued children are immediately counselled and provided help.”

It is pertinent to mention here that this is BBA’s second raid in a week. The custody of all 69 children, 16 from the first raid in Rohini, has been given to Bachpan Bachao Andolan.