12th March 2010, Kalkaji New Delhi – The entire Delhi is under construction, preparing for the Commonwealth Games. With it comes a range of violations, most importantly the violation of a child’s rights. 4 children were found working to construct a sewer system in Kalkaji, in South Delhi under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) project.
This came in light after child rights organization, Bachpan Bachao Andolan complained to the Women and Crime cell about 4 children working for MCD’s construction project the area.
The children, all between 9 to 14 years were working at the construction site for many weeks. The complaint was done twice before but the children had gone missing on both occasions. This was the third time that Bachpan Bachao Andolan lodged a complaint and informed the police. Due to a prompt action by police personnel, the children were caught working on the road. When BBA activists started rescuing these children,
They faced stiff resistance. The general secretary of the Shopkeeper’s union got into a verbal spat with Mr. Kailash Satyarthi, founder Bachpan Bachao Andolan to pressurize the organisation to not to rescue children. When the children were rescued the union members came with 20 more people in police station to force the police authorities to not to file case against the employer.
Mr. Kailash Satyarthi, founder of BBA said, “The most disappointing episode was an attempt to attack the rescue team by the local traders. These traders and the MCD contractor were connived and the contractor seemed to be politically connected. Fortunately, the Police arrived on time and saved us, and also filed a case against the employer.”
It is pertinent to mention here that construction comes under the list of occupations banned by Government of India as hazardous occupation for children.
Mr. R.S Chaurasia, Chairperson, Bachpan Bachao Andolan said, “It is distressing to see children working in government’s own construction project. We would ensure that the concerned employers are prosecuted at the earliest and the case is also filed in Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986 and the Juvenile Justice Act so that children are properly repatriated and rehabilitated.”
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/4-kids-rescued-from-an-MCD-work-site/articleshow/5678406.cms
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/child-labourers-rescued-from-mcd-construction-site_100334012.html
http://sify.com/news/minors-rescued-from-mcd-construction-site-news-features-kdnmHhichej.html |
