“I am a Class VII dropout and I lost my father when I was two years old. My uncle engaged me in a shop. I don’t know how much salary the owner will pay to my uncle per month,” said Harish (name changed), who was rescued by the labour officials.
“My family migrated from Chhattisgarh and I was kept in a hotel to help my parents. The owner offers breakfast, lunch and ₹50 per day,” said a 12-year-old Bhavya, who was another child labour rescued during the special drive in Krishna district.
Child labourers, aged between 8 and 15 years, who were produced in the Open Court, poured out their woes.
The Labour and National Child Labour Project officials imposed fine on the employers and warned them against employing minors for work.
“Following the directions of Collector B. Lakshmikantham, the month-long drive was conducted up to March 28, and rescued 165 victims, including 20 girls. Most of the children were from broken and disturbed families. Raids were conducted in Nuzvid, Mylavaram, Vijayawada, Tiruvuru, Kaikalur, Avanigadda, Vuyyuru, Gudivada, Jaggaiahpeta and other places,” said NCLP Krishna district Project Director D. Anjaneya Reddy.
Grave situation
An NGO representative said the child labour menace was so severe in the district, and many children were suffering due to physical and mental harassment being meted out by the owners.
