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They make footballs, score nothing

Staff Reporter

Child labourers in Meerut district churn out footballs in hundreds everyday

Child labourers from Meerut at a Press conference in New Delhi on Monday. Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

NEW DELHI: While people the world over watch the high-tension drama unfold each day at the ongoing World Cup football extravaganza, they remain unaware of the plight of hundreds of children in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh who are trapped in the net of child labour churning out footballs day in and day out.

"Several multinational companies sign contracts with local bodies to produce sporting goods at cheap rates. These local bodies hire sub-contractors in nondescript villages like those around Meerut, who then employ little children who churn out footballs at the cost of their health and education. They are paid a pittance,'' said Kailash Satyarthi of Global March Against Child Labour and Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) at a press conference here on Monday.

The children have signed an appeal to Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) asking them and sports goods companies to make sure that no child was employed in the football-making industry and that former working children were rehabilitated properly.

"These children and their families are paid between three and five rupees per football, while their price in the market is not less then Rs. 100 apiece. The children dare not dream of playing with the footballs, as they are too busy stitching the balls together. Even after a full day's work the children can only produce a maximum of two footballs each,'' he said.

The hostile conditions the children are subject to have an adverse effect on their health. "They use sharp needles and knives that constantly prick their fingers. The wounds are left untreated, as the work must go on. During surveys made by BBA in villages around Meerut, several children were found with cuts on their fingers that had become septic. The children stitch as fast as they can, sitting in a hunched position that leads to severe back pains. Also, inadequate lighting has caused poor eyesight in several children,'' added Mr. Satyarthi.

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