New Delhi, July 12:  Acting on a report in a London-based newspaper about children being forced to work  at toys and gifts manufacturing factory here,  Bachan Bachao Andolan swung into action and filed a complaint and their after rescued four children from Sakur ki Dandi area in Central Delhi.

This is for the first time that child labour has been exposed in making of shellac ornaments and gift items for exports. All the children were victims of child trafficking.The children, aged between 8 years and 10 years, were forced to work for at least 14 hours per day. When rescued, they were scantily dressed. The children said, “We were given Rs 20 on each Sunday for working from morning to mid night whole week. 

Mohd Hussain (name changed) said he was brought to Delhi two years back by a “UNCLE” from his village, who paid Rs 1,000 to his family.

The rescue operation was carried out in coordination with District Task Force for elimination of Child Labour, which was laid by  Deputy Labour Commissioner, police and SDM Paharganj.

President of Bachpan Bachao Andolan, Mr Ramesh Gupta, said: “This incidence has once again exposed the laxity of multinational companies in working with their supply chains for elimination of child labour and trafficking. Multi national brands somehow after placing the order feel no liability. This apathy translates at every layer in supply chain.  A concerted effort is required by the companies at all levels to work with supply chains on capacity building, on decent work conditions as defined by ILO and see to it that there is no more forced labour or child labour.”