The Government of India had identified 16 Districts in Karnataka State that were prone to child labour, of which, BREADS and its Don Bosco partners work in more than ten locations. By ratifying International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 138 and 182, India made a public stand against child labour on the world stage in 2017 and as signatory to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is committed to the eradication of all forms of child labour by 2025. A goal that is nowhere close. The government itself identified 1,98,329 child labourers since 2017, which is a very conservative figure. Numerous NGOs continue to identify many more.
Children at highest risk are those of seasonal labourers and migrants as they are always on the move for employment, without access to schools, and are easily coopted into supporting the family by working or taking care of siblings. Siddique (name changed) a 13-year-old boy from Bihar, had discontinued his education after the 3rd Grade because his parents could not afford to educate him. His father’s wage as a coolie was the sole income. To support his family, Siddique migrated to Bangalore and began to work in a saree factory. He was properly exploited, working from 8 am to 9 pm daily, for a monthly salary of INR 9,000/-, until he was found by the BOSCO Child Safety Net team. His rescue, and the counselling process for him and his parents opened other options for the child. In accordance with the Child Welfare Committee directive, Siddique returned with his father to his hometown, where he enrolled in non-formal education, intending to take up training in tailoring later.
World Day Against Child Labour is an occasion to spread the word—educating the public and institutions—against any form of child labour. The Don Bosco partners in Bidar, Yadagiri, Raichur, Bengaluru, and Mysuru came up with various means of garnering public attention: public rallies and meetings, street plays and campaigns. In Davangere, a walkathon was organised to draw attention to the issue. In Kalaburagi, school children and staff rallied in various panchayats to sensitise people against child labour. In Yadagiri, Don Bosco Social Service Centre was recognised by the district administration as one of the best NGOs in the service of children. The partners collaborated with Education, Labour, Women & Child, Law departments, panchayat officials, teachers, and other members of civil society to make the messaging more effective. Simultaneously, Don Bosco partners are actively involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of children in various forms of child labour and out of school, advocating with local communities and administrations for the eradication of this societal malaise.
Fr. George PS
Executive Director BREADS Bangalore
