New Delhi , 8th October 2009- 35 bonded child labourers were rescued today by Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) from zari sweatshops in the Khurjikhaad Parwana Road area in New Delhi.  BBA were helped by the Sub Divisional Magistrate, the Labour Department and the Delhi Police.

All the bonded child labourers were 10-14 years old and were trafficked from Bihar and Jharkhand with a promise of better future.  10 year old Kamal ( name changed), the youngest child rescued, said, “My father took lot of money so my  chacha (village uncle) gave  Rs 500 to my father and said that your son will study in a madrassa (Muslim school), as well as also assisting with some minor work, so that we are able to pay the debt.  But I was forced to work in the zari industry”.  He also informed BBA activists that he was made to work for twelve to thirteen hours daily, and when he failed to give satisfying results he was beaten-up.

Delhi High Court passed very strict guidelines to Delhi Government to lodge cases against employer under criminal procedures code and to recover Rs 20,000 for each child labourer from the employer immediately and also to investigate from the end of production to the principle employer. The need of the hour for labour department and police authorities is to  establish linkages till the principle employer.

R.S Chaurasia Chairperson of Bachpan Bachao Andolan, said that “Children were kept in the most inhuman conditions.   All the children were working in poorly lighted and ventilated rooms in the scorching heat therefore most of the children had allergies because of the poor and unhygienic working conditions. In one small room the children were stuffed to work, eat, drink and sleep in same area.

Ms Radha Charan, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Preet Vihar , said, “Upon speaking to the children we realized that they worked from 7am to 1pm in the night, and never received any wages for their work. This clearly means that they were bonded labourers, hence they will be given release certificates under the Bonded Labour Act. The release certificate entitles them to their rehabilitation package of Rs. 20,000, as well as availing of government schemes like Indira Awas Yojana and housing schemes on a priority basis. But most importantly the children will be enrolled in NCLP School”.