The Hindu : Child labourer rescued

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 23, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Child labourer rescued

By K. Lakshmi

CHENNAI, FEB. 22. Twelve-year-old Ajay Kumar working as domestic labour in a house at Tiruvanmiyur was rescued recently. The incident highlights the prevalence of domestic child labour in the city.

The boy, who is from a small village in Bhagalpur district of Bihar, was brought here nine months ago on a monthly salary of Rs. 500. Presently supported by Nesakkaram, a non-governmental organisation, the boy, allegedly abused and driven out of the employer's house, was rescued by neighbours.

At an interactive session with mediapersons today, K. Chandru, a senior advocate, said domestic child labour had not been receiving attention "on grounds of non-hazardous employment, which is a myth. Domestic labour is fast growing in the city and girls are the most-affected."

It was imperative for the Government to amend the laws suitably and take steps to abolish all types of child labour — industrial or domestic. It was necessary to create awareness of the importance of compulsory education for children below 14 years of age for at least 10 years.

Virgil D'Sami, executive director of Arunodhaya, a centre for working and street children, said, "Many children may be subjected to verbal, physical or even sexual abuse and it is difficult to trace such cases as they occur behind closed doors." This might affect the psyche of child labourers and it was essential to make the public and policy makers aware of the need to eradicate child labour.

R. Parthiban, film actor and director, said the menace could be eradicated only when every individual ensured that children were not employed for housework. School children also need to be educated on the injustice meted out to other children.

The rescued boy, Ajay Kumar, said, "I want to visit my parents in Bihar and come back after a few days for education in Chennai."

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