Kolkata, 30th April, 2008: The Child Labour Prevention Act (1986) bans different forms of child labour yet every day we see millions of children below the age of 14years engaged in child labour. The Government of India estimates (Census 2001) that over 12 million children aged between 5 and 14 continue to work in various occupations including many hazardous occupations. UNICEF figures show that 14% of our populations between 5 -14 years, approximately 29 million children are working as child labourers.

West Bengal according to government data (census 2001) has 90,000 child labourers. However, research conducted by Save the Children's estimates 50,000 Child domestic workers in the city of Kolkatta alone. How far is the law on banning child labour, therefore being implemented?

Save the Children's study on Child domestic workers has also shown a clear link between child trafficking and child domestic work, child sexual abuse and commercial sexual exploitation of children.

In order to create awareness regarding the issue of child domestic work and related child trafficking of children from West Bengal, Save the Children is conducting a campaign in rural source areas and urban destination area of Kolkata. The messages will be distributed on Bus Backs, Posters, radio programmes and television advertisements towards raising awareness and public opinion against employment of children as domestic help. A pledge has also been put out on the website which is a call for concerted action to stop trafficking of children for domestic work and other exploitative form of labour. The well known social activist Nafisa Ali flags off the campaign today in Kolkata.

Notes to Editors:

• Save the Children and its partner agencies have been working extensively on the issue of child domestic work and trafficking in West Bengal since 2003 in close collaboration with the Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal and with the active support from Panchayati Raj Institutions and rescued and rehabilitated more than 2309 children through its programme initiatives
• Strong Anti trafficking committees have been set up 52 villages in this region now and 46 villages do not have children going out for domestic work
• One of the most interesting achievements of Save the Children and its partners is to reform a group of traffickers (9 traffickers) who have now become active part of the Anti Trafficking initiatives in source districts and extending their help through providing information about the agents and traffickers

About us:

• Save the Children, Bal Raksha Bharat is a leading Indian child rights agency and a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, the world's largest independent organisation for children, making a difference to children's lives in over 120 countries Save the children fights for children's rights, deliver immediate and lasting improvements to children's lives worldwide.
• From emergency relief to long-term development, Save the Children helps children to achieve a happy, healthy and secure childhood. Save the Children listens to children, involves children and ensures their views are taken into account. Save the Children secures and protects children's rights - to food, shelter, health care, education and freedom from violence, abuse and exploitation.

For more information about Save the Children, please visit the website www.savethechildren.in

For further information, please contact:

Head Office: Save the Children, Bal Raksha, Bharat Anuradha Maharishi,+ 91 9811626122, a.maharishi@savethechildren.in

West Bengal State Office: Manabendra Nath Ray, +91 9830046205, m.ray@savethechildren.in

For information on Save the Children's work in India, log on to www.savethechildren.in  

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