By IANS
New Delhi : Eight bonded child labourers who were trafficked from Bihar and working in sub-human conditions have been rescued from an artificial jewellery workshop here, officials said Friday.
Their heart-rending story of trafficking, captivity and slavery was narrated after Delhi labour department officials, police and Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), an NGO, conducted a raid and rescued the children from Sitaram Bazar locality of Karol Bagh.
These children, one of them only 10-years-old, were originally from the Katihar district of Bihar.
Living and working in pathetic conditions, they were never allowed to go back home. Most of them were paid only Rs. 50-60 per week as pocket money. They were given unpalatable food subject to abusive treatment, said Mohammad Naib, one of the rescued children.
The BBA said it was common for them to be hurt by the needles used for making artificial jewellery and bangles. The needles are slightly hooked and have to be twisted to remove them from the skin.
“And this would lead to some tender flesh coming out along with the needle. They received no medical attention for this,” BBA, a child rights organisation, said.
The organisation said their release was being secured under the Bonded Labour Abolition Act, 1976.
Under this law, each of the families of the children would be entitled for rehabilitation and will be given Rs. 20,000 along with facilities of housing. The employers would also be prosecuted for violation of labour laws.
The eight rescued children are now at the Mutki Ashram, a transit rehabilitation centre of BBA, and will be repatriated soon after they get the release certificates from authorities.