News

7th May 2008: In one of the largest rescue operations in the country, 208 child labourers were rescued from child/ bonded labour from more than 120 establishments. In an unprecedented move, the Labour Minister of Jharkhand , instead of passing the order from the table as usual, joined in the raids with BBA activists. Mr. Bhanu Pratap Sahi Created history as for the first time, a minister screened the restaurants, teashops and garages on the streets for 4 hours in the state capital Ranchi and rescued 185 child labourers.

Another milestone that BBA covered was transforming the former victims into change agents. Kalu, Abdul, Bunty former victims of trafficking for forced and going through rehabilitation in Bal Ashram were leading various rescue teams in Delhi whereas the entire operation in Ranchi was planned and executed in the leadership of Govind Khanal another former child laobourer turned activists and currently taking the responsibility of National Secretary in Jharkhand.

On one hand in Delhi, raids were conducted targeting zari embroidery units and tin factories rescuing 23 children. Children were involved in embroidery or cutting of tin sheets to make paint cans. On other hand  in Ranchi the focus was on roadside restaurants and domestic child labour.

These rescue operations in both the states have once again highlighted the issue of trafficking for forced labour. All these children between the age group 6-16 were brought from their native villages to either the capital city of Jharkhand or Delhi to work under conditions amounting to slavery- working for minimal or no wages and for very long hours with no freedom of movement or seek a way out of the place.

Ramesh Gupta, President BBA, said, “The raids underscore the significance of what can be achieved if the administrative machinery has the will to implement the law. What the Labour Minister in Jharkhand has done can liberate children in the country from child labour and provide education to all children, if all politicians follow this lead.”
           
Bhanu Pratap Sahi conveyed this heartening message during the press conference that followed- “I am happy that we were able to conduct this raid. Whenever I saw children working and living in those situations, I felt the necessity to take action. We will make Jharkhand child labour free in 2 years’ time.”

Clearly this is the beginning of such major operations and the BBA team is all geared up for it.