Twenty-nine child labourers have been rescued from three shoe-making factories in north-west Delhi after a raid by the authorities.
All the children rescued were trafficked from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), which facilitated the rescue, said in a press statement on Friday.
It said police officials, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, labour officers and a BBA team raided the factory premises in Samaypur Badli. The three factories were sealed and two employers arrested, according to the statement.
The children are in the age group of 8-16 years and have been working for 12-16 hours a day. The main process they were involved was of using liquid rubber adhesive to join the upper part of the shoe.
Exposure to solvents may lead to respiratory problems, the BBA said.
R S Chaurasia, Chairperson of BBA, said “It is astonishing to see children working in organised sectors where regular inspections are supposed to happen.”
Ashish Mohan, SDM, Punjabi Bagh, said, “All the children will be given release certificates under the Bonded Labour Act. The release certificate entitles them to their rehabilitation package of Rs 20,000, as well as availing of government schemes like Indira Awas Yojana on a priority basis.”
