Eight children being made to serve liquor and food in roadside vends in Selaqui area were rescued in a raid conducted by departmental officials along with State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) member and members of a voluntary organisation. However, after their rescue SCPCR member Seema Dora and Bachpan Bachao Andolan member Sandeep Pant said that the authorities have booked a case under child labour act but not under the bonded labour Act. Dora stressed that the authorities should register a case under the bonded labour act in order to ensure justice and rehabilitation of the rescued children.
Talking to The Pioneer, Pant said that while booking a case under the child labour act is valid, it is also important to register a case under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act. Pant said, “The eight children rescued were all aged under 14 years and were being paid Rs 100 a day which amounts to Rs 3,000 per month whereas the minimum wage for unskilled labour is Rs 6,500 per month.
There are four Supreme Court judgments and the Act which states that those not being paid the minimum wages are bonded labourers. The children rescued were being made to work from 9 to 11 and also being abused. Registering a case under the bonded labour act will help facilitate their rehabilitation in addition to making them eligible for minimum Rs 20,000 to maximum Rs 3 lakh compensation.”