17th May 2010 , New Delhi - On Monday, when Delhi Task Force on Elimination of child labour conducted a raid in Nehru Place area of South Delhi, one could witness the two extremes of Indian economy. In the large commercial, financial and business center of Delhi, 30 bonded child labourers were rescued from roadside Dhabas and eateries on a complaint filed by Bachpan Bachao Andolan.

 The children falling in the age bracket of 9-14 years were trafficked from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh on the enticement of education and better life. Raja (name changed to protect identity), 9 years said, “I was enrolled in my school in Bihar. Chacha (uncle) told my parents that I will be enrolled in school for better education. Once here, I was forced to work in this Dhaba (eatery). I was working for more than 16 hours a day without any salary.  I am not good in cooking but still I was forced to work, I have bruised my fingers and burnt my hand while cooking and cutting vegetables. My employer never used to give food  to me , therefore I used to sell empty bottles in the morning to arrange money for my food.  I want to go back home and join my school back.”

 Mr. Rakesh Senger, National Secretary of BBA said that “In 2006, Child Labour Regulation and Prohibition Act 1986 was amended which brought child labour in roadside eateries also in the arena of hazardous occupation. Still, children as young as 9 years are scene working in the roadside eateries. During the last fortnight, BBA in cooperation with Labour Department has conducted seven raids. We are planning to strengthen our efforts across the country to liberate children from the shackles of barbaric employees.“ he added.

 According to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, an estimated 1,85,595 children are employed as domestic helps and in roadside eateries. Most of the children are trafficked by placement agencies operating in poor states like Orissa, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

SDM Kalkaji, Mr. V.P Singh who led the raid said, “These roadside eateries must be earning more than 20,000 every day but they aoid employing adults to escape giving minimum wages to them. We have prosecuted 13 employers and filed cases under Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act and Child Labour Regulation and Prohibition Act 1986.”