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Western textile importers plan boycott

LONDON: Despite the Indian economy nudging towards a billion-dollar Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per annum mark, the spectre of child labourers working amid dismal surroundings and earning pittance wages has vastly dented the country’s image as a rising and prosperous economic power. It has highlighted glaring and often embarrassing extremes of wealth and poverty in society.

Major importers of quality garments, textile and apparel are considering voluntary import boycott of Indian manufacturers who refuse to drastically improve the working conditions and wages of child labourers.

Western clothing retailers are worried about their customers imposing voluntary boycott of such products from India.

It is ironical to note that the “Made in India” label is fast acquiring grudging notoriety in Western garment, apparel and textile trade.

It is also argued that “endemic” corruption among Indian bureaucrats, labour and police officials has “consolidated” the regime of dismal working conditions and low wages.

Asian supply chains from other garment sources in Thailand, Sri Lanka, the Philippines are also under the scanner. However, suppliers from the Indian sub-continent are under close scrutiny as media reports highlight allegations of “forced child labour” by Indian sub-contractors.

A news clip on British television on Wednesday night highlighted the issue.

Senior vice-president at the GAP brand label,Dan Hanker, was quoted as saying on Thursday: “This allegation about an unauthorised facility in India is deeply upsetting.”

A media report states that GAP’s own monitoring efforts had made it to stop working with 23 factories last year and added that GAP had called for an urgent meeting with all its suppliers in India “to reinforce this policy.”

According to the International Labour Organisation, there are 122 million economically active 5-14 year-olds working in the Asia-Pacific region, of which India has 44 million child labourers — the highest in the world.

Observers state that India has not yet enacted a total ban on child labour but it is “slowly closing loopholes.”

It is stated that employing under-14s in households, roadside restaurants and hotels became illegal in November and the list of “hazardous” work places is being modified.

In 1986, Indian children were banned from working in mines, cigarette and glass manufacturing and more children are being admitted to special schools.

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