CHILDLINE's Amateur Branch Accomplishes Master's Task: Unearths Bonded Labor Swindle

CHILDLINE Services started ringing in Ghaziabad in the month of March, 2010. Looking at the rapid real estate development with big business houses and software companies coming in past five/six years, Ghaziabad is considered as a significant part of National Capital Territory, Delhi. At the same time there are also small pockets at the outer parts of the main city whose livelihood very much depends on small scale industry related works. Children from the distant part of North India are brought here to do these works which includes Zari industries, Bindi making, to work as support staff in the Dhabas and as domestic help also.

During an outreach asctivity on May 13, 2010, the CHILDLINE's team identified children working in Zari industry. Looking at the urgency of the case and poor condition of children CHILDLINE requested the Labour Department and Police to conduct the rescue May 16, 2010. At last moment the Labour Department had to back-out due to resource crunch. However, the operation went ahead with the support from Local Police Department and seven children were rescued from Khushal Park .

The Children were brought to the police station for taking their statement and filling a FIR against the employers. During the interaction with the Children, the police and team came to know that the children were allegedly harassed, brutally beaten and were living under hazardous circumstances. The interview also revealed the following:

• The working hour of children were very long hours (7:00 A M to 11:00 PM)
• They were not paid any amount as their monthly salary or stipend for the period of their association with the employers.
• They had limited mobility specially those who lives with the employers.

Late evening FIR was filed under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act 2000, Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986, Bonded Labour Act 1976 and related section of IPC, 1860. This was first time in the history of Ghaziabad when FIR has been filled under Bonded and Child Labor Act in the district of Ghaziabad.

After which the children were taken for medical test in the late evening and with the due order of City Magistrate kept in the shelter home.

The children are now happy with their parents and not working any more.