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Child labour in Moradabad's brass industry declines

The number of child workers in the world-famous brass industry in Moradabad has come down to about 6,000, thanks to the city residents and the administration who have come together to fight the evil jointly.

A recent survey conducted among the 54,915 families in the city by the state labour department has shown that of 96,167 children below the age of 14, only 6,099 are employed, including 1,156 girls, a far better situation than the one a few years ago.

The percentage of schoolchildren has gone up to 75 per cent with girls emerging at the top with 81 per cent. In sharp contrast, the literacy rate among those above 14 years is a dismal 20 per cent.

The survey, conducted in all the 60 wards of the city, found that there are 9,664 children neither work nor go to schools.

''The administration received tremendous response from the city's residents in fighting against child labour,'' Rita Bhadoria, Moradabad regional labour commissioner, said.

An earlier survey in Uttar Pradesh, following an Allahabad High Court order, had found 33,147 child workers in 1997. The number had come down to 18,000 last year.

The child workers are mainly employed in welding and polishing work in the brass factories. They work on blast furnaces and gas cylinders.

The government also invited the Indian Medical Association in January this year to the city for conducting medical check-ups of child workers. It distributed sweaters among the child workers and also collected Rs 400,000 for their welfare, Bhadoria said.

She said a 'Baal Mela' (children's fair) was organised. Hundreds of child workers attended.

The three-month-long survey focussed on education, health and physical and mental development of the child workers. It also sought to create awareness among the people to reduce child labour and prevent harassment of child workers by employers.

The district administration has started a district primary education programme called 'Ek Pahal' (a fresh start) for the child workers. Under this plan, they are taught at government schools.

The survey also studied the economic, social and other factors behind child labour.

UNI

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