Kolkata, 11th June 2008

There is a larger child labour force in India than anywhere else in the world. 12.8 million according to Government statistics and approximately 60 million according to NGO estimates.

On the occasion of World Day against Child Labour, the Confederation of Indian Industries in West Bengal is joining hands with Save the Children, a leading Indian child rights organization and member of the International alliance to pledge to ensure that no child labour takes place within the Industry and that Industry will contribute to ensuring that the affected children are better rehabilitated.

Save the Children is calling for greater public awareness and sensitization on the issue and extent of child labour in the country and the effective and thorough implementation of existing legislation which bans child labour, such as the Child Labour Prevention act.

Save the Children today organized a programme, in the association with CII on the World Day against Child Labour at the Bengal Club. The eminent attendees were Mr. Ashish Jhunjhunwala, Chairman, West Bengal State Council-CII, Mr. S.N. Haque, Hon'ble Principal Secretary, Department of Labour Government of West Bengal, Mr. Manabendra Nath Ray, State Programme Manager, Save the Children and Mr. S.S. Chawdhry, Chairman, IR WB Panel-CII.

In order to create awareness regarding the issue of Child Labour and Child trafficking of children from West Bengal, Save the Children Has conducted a two month long campaign in rural source areas (Midnapore and north and south 24 Parganas) and urban destination (Kolkatta) area of Kolkata. The messages were distributed on Bus Backs, Posters, radio programmes and television advertisements towards raising awareness and public opinion against employment of children as domestic help.

Thomas Chandy, CEO Save the Children in India said, "The West Bengal CII chapter by partnering with Save the Children on this occasion has exhibited its commitment to the cause of eradicating Child Labour and Trafficking in the State. The partnership with the Industry and government is key to ensuring a sustainable model of stopping and rehabilitating child labour. We would urge everyone to Stop employing Child Labour and join our campaign by SMSing STOP to 54545."

Key Notes

• The Government of India estimates (Census 2001) that 12.8 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. 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. 
•  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. 
• However, only 3.6% of the total work force in India is children under 14 years. 17% of the work force is under the age of 15. These children are exploited economically and often physically, including sexually. They are forced to do heavy work, work overtime, are often deprived of food, schooling and rest, and work in unhealthy and unsafe conditions. Push factors include poverty, lack of schools, infrastructure in schools, absence of teachers; no female teachers, no classes beyond primary schools particularly in remote villages; and no obvious link between school education and daily life. 
• There is a need for better implementation of the Child Labour prevention act and everyone has a responsibility to contribute to this.

Notes to the editor

• Save the Children and its partner agencies have been working extensively on the issue of child labour, and trafficking , in particular child domestic work, brick kiln workers and children in beedi making 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 .
• 350 child domestic workers have been provided with vocational education and 6500 mainstreamed into formal schools between 2005-08.
• 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 (11 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 
• A total number of 2353 (1167 girls and 1184 boys) children in the age group of 5+ to 7+ engaged in beedi making were enrolled into school in Suti II and Hariharpara blocks of Murshidabad.
• Sixty (60) bridge course centres were established where around 2085 children (1460 boys and 1345 girls) from 60 Brick kilns in two districts of West Bengal are able to enjoy their ‘Right to Education'.

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:

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

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