CAMPAIGN AGAINST CHILD LABOUR
Our Efforts and Experiences – Part - II
“In the previous issue, information was given about study of system of child labour in amedpur area and remedies for the eradication of the system, in the first part of the article. In this second part, of the Article our direct experiences and difficulties encountered by us are highlighted.”
To develop proper understanding of the system of child labour of our region a survey of 15 villages from ahmedpur tahsil was conducted in oct. 1994. As per the asessment of P.H.C. the total population of the 15 villages was 19014. Survey revealed that there were 466 children who were working as child Labour, out of which 64 % were girl children. Though the survey provided information of various aspects of the system, here we would like to highlight the earnings of child labour and how their soci-educational backwardness is responsible for promotion and perpetuation of the system. Survey revealed that out 466, 252 children were working in the family occupation was child Labour, majority of the remaining child labour were daily wage earners, earning average Rs. 10/- as their daily wage. Employment was available for them for 6 to 8 month a year. It means their average annual income was rs. 1750/- only. Only 36 children were working on monthly basis, whose average annual income was around Rs. 2000/- only. Few of them were employed on yearly contract basis and their earnings were around Rs. 2000/- to Rs. 2500/- per year. It also revealed that, the contribution of a child Labour to family income was around 5 to 10% only. It means, whatever the child labour earned was quite issufficiant for meating his/her own basis needs. As per the price index of Aug. 1992, a person needed minimum Rs. 11.75 only per day for meating his/her basic needs. It means a person wanted Rs. 4288/- per annum for his/her survival.
It is a general fealing among the people that parents send their children to work to meet family needs. But in reality earnings of child labour employed in any occupation are not enought to support the family financially. But the child labour may supporting either the employer to earn more or the national economy to gain strength. The naked truth is in this unholy alliance of employer and parents child pays heavy price and loose his/her childhood.
Long back, we had submitted a proposal, under a scheme of ILO, to work for eradication of system of Child Labour. Corrospondance was going on for around two years with State and Central Governments about the proposal. In the mean time the scheme changed and we could not implement it.
It always happens like this, with the proposals submitted by voluntary organisations. But as per the policy of the Government, Labour Officer, Latur freed 20 Child Labours and put them with Savitribai Fuley Servicy Centre, Udgir, for their care and maintainance. The same Government officer repeatedly requested Government did not sanction any amount for it and the organisation is in difficulties now of how to take care of these children.
Our experience is, it is easy to get financial support form other funding agencies than Government for such programmes. We could implement some concrete programmes for child labour with a financial support from Tdh and Himos. It might be the experience of other organisations also. Again it is a common experience that, general public takes more interest in such programmes than Govt. officials.
For running 30 child Labour education centres and 10 creches in Chakur Tahsil, last year people contribute 17 to 18 thousands as their share. For donations 700 letters were sent to individual for their contribution for child labour education programme form Rs. 25 to Rs. 300/- were received from the individuals contacted.
While organising Marathwada level march against the system of child labour, any people contacted us and expressed their satisfaction about our efforts and also expressed their desire to participats actively in the campaign. After the march, still we receive letters from individuals and organisation. They want to participate in the campaign and expart our support and guidence in this matter. But we are aware of our own limitations. Even we could not do effective follow up of the programme.
Situation of child labour on National Level :
Our country has a vast population. Out of which around 110 million children work as Child Labour. They work is numerous occupations. Their employment in hazardous industries like carpet industry, match factories, mines cracker industries is much in news. But there many more industries and occupations in which child labour is employed and they are equally hazardous one. During the period of 100 years Government has enacted many laws about Child Labour. But there is not a single law which could stop the system of child labour totally. The most publicised Act on child labour is an Act of 1896. But this Act also could prohibit employment of child labour is selected hazardous industries. But the fact is, the industries which are listed in this Act also employ child Labour. Majority of the child labour is employed in unorganised sector. There is dire need of enactment preventing employment of child labour in this sector.
Second important point is, people don’t feel that system of child labour is an important burning issue. Therefore, people are not deoply concerned about it, as they are concerned about other national issue. As people are not aware, it becomes extromely difficult to raise the voice against this system. It means, the first step is to generate awareness among the masses on this issue.
All the national and state level political parties are quite indifferent on this issue. Except one or two none is interested in this issue. Casually they express their opinious or shout some slogaus or make some demands on this issue. But it doesnot mean that they are really interested in solving this problem.
It may be interesting to know, why these political parties are indiferent about this issue. The reasons may be child labour are not the voters or vote banks for any political part, and as they are most unorganised, neither they are in a position to influence the voting pattern.
As some awareness about the issue is being generated on national level and people have started expressing their discontent and again international community is also discussing the issue, government is compelled to take some measures for improving the situation child labour. For this, Central labour ministry has formulated a scheme which will implemented in the current plan itself. Under this scheme 100 districts are identified and 2000 child labour from each district will be rehabilitated. (17 districts from Maharashtra are included in this scheme). With this speed, even 100 years will not be enough to rehabilitate the entire child labour of the country. Available information reveals that, state Government does not have nay programme for improving the situation of this lot. Previous Government had announced to add some more industries to the list of hazardous industries. This government says that they will pas a comprehensive legistation on this issue. In our country thousands of voluntary organisations are working in the field of education, social service, social welfare or social change, but only few of them are really involved in this campaign. It is difficult to say that whatever they are doing is important or not, but the basic objective of all the voluntary organisations is to build a happy and prosperous socity. But, if we want to have a happy and protection, employment generation, population control and eradication of system of child labour.
In this perspective, a question may be asked that, what exactly we should do for eradication of this system. But we should keep in mind that, there are no short cuts to solve this problem. Liberation of child labour and prevention of the system both carry equal importance. Measurs should be take to improvethe situation in both areas. There is a need to implement poverty alleviation programme. Perticularly guaranting employment to adults through out the year, assuring minimum wages for them. Facilition for rehabilitation and education of child labour should be provided.
We must keep in mind that, system of child labour is universally existing sytem. It is existing in developed countries like America and Russia as well as in developing countries like India and Pakistan. It shows that this system is exploitation than to poverty and unemployment. More work and less pay is only possible in a system of Child Labour only. Child Labour could easily be exploited. Exploiters know this reality therefore; they promote and protect the system. The point is whether we would offose this mentality of exploitation pf Child labour or not. It we donot all the system then all the remedias will prove to be useless and programme for improving the situation will continue for ever.
Machhindra Gojame
About the Author
1.Name: Machhindra Gojame
2.Address: People's Intitute Of Rural Development-PIRD
Karad Nagar , Nanded Road ,
P.O.: Ahmedpur , Dist : Latur,
Maharashtra , INDIA
3.Age: 51 years
4.Occupations Field: Rural Dev. & social Change.
5.position: president of PIRD
6:special Subject: Child labour & waterhed development programme.
7:email: grameen@sify.com
website:http://grameen.tripod.com